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How to Suffer Well

1 Peter 2:21-25

Good morning.  I invite you to turn with me in your bibles to 1 Peter 2.  This morning we are going to be looking at verses 21-25. 

​Over the course of our study in this epistle we’ve been dealing with two interlocking themes.  This book twists together the themes of submission and suffering.  

We haven’t talked in depth about suffering up to this point.  We’ve mentioned it. We’ve alluded to it. It’s been at least in the background of almost every passage we’ve studied.  But this morning we have a chance to think more specifically about it.   

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:21-25

Over the last year and a half I know that various families at Hopewell have had to endure some kind of suffering.  To one degree or another, there has been some sort of hardship.  It may have been something that you had to endure for a couple of months.  It may have been something that lasted longer.  You may still be dealing with it.

In the book of Job we read a beautiful summation of this.  He says that man is born to misery as surely as sparks fly upward.  Job reminds us that it is inevitable.  It is a universal dilemma, the cost of living in a fallen world.    

Suffering is, therefore, an inescapable problem.  And that’s especially true for those of us who are Christians.  We not only suffer in the normal, everyday ways, such as chronic pain, maladies, frustrating relationships, and the loss or breakdown of our worldly possessions.  We also have the added problems that are often associated with being a follower of Christ.  We deal with the opposition of a world that is anti-Christ.  And that comes in its various forms and degrees.

The question then becomes, how do we deal with it?  When the pains and frustrations come our way, how can we best cope with it?  Since suffering is something that we have to undergo, how do we (as I like to put it) suffer well?

That may sound a little odd to some people.  Suffering is something that is miserable.  And they may ask, “What can be good about it?”  Sure, some people can make do with their suffering.  Some people may try to make the best of their suffering.  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

But the Scriptures tell us that we as Christians are to suffer well.  As we go through times of suffering, we are to make every effort to glorify God throughout our time of suffering.  This suffering is to be handled in a way that pleases God.  That’s what we mean by suffering well.

In the passage before us this morning, Peter gives us counsel on just this very thing.  His words show us how we can, in fact, suffer well.  And in this passage there are three points that Peter makes in regards to suffering.

1) How are we to view it?  Our view of suffering will typically determine how well we suffer.  So it is important that we equip ourselves with the right perspective.

2) How are we to handle it?  That is to say, what does God call us to do?  When suffering comes our way, there’s a particular way we are to behave.  

3) How can we make it through this time of suffering?  It is the question of perseverance.  How can we bear these trials and make it through the pains we experience?

I. How are we to view it? [21]
I’m sure that we all could answer this question in various ways.  If someone were to walk up to you and say, “How do you view suffering?”  You’d probably say that it was a horrid thing.  It is something that infringes upon your life.  

At best, it is an annoyance.  At worst it is a blood sucking leach; a parasite that steals my energy, my mental wherewithal, my happiness, and maybe even my property.

Perhaps some of you may have even more colorful ways of describing it.  But we would likely agree that we view it as an utter nuisance.  It is something that we would rather avoid or get rid of as fast as possible.

But, friends, how does Scripture want us to view it?  How does the Lord want us to think about the pains and trials of life?  

When you look at verse 21, notice what it says.  It says that we should view our trauma, our hardships, and our difficulties as a calling.

Peter says, “For to this you have been called.”

Some of you may have studied the doctrine of work.  And when we talk about our occupations from a Biblical point of view, we do so by understanding that it is a “vocation.”  We call it a vocation because that is a word that comes from Latin (Vocatio) which means calling.  

And therefore, we understand that your work as a mother, a plumber, or a sales person is not meaningless.  Neither is it something that you randomly fell into.  And it shouldn’t be something that you have a hum drum attitude about.  

The work that you do is significant because God has called you to this particular occupation.  And since it is your God given calling, you throw yourself into it and do everything you can to be the very best at it because, as a calling from God, you are serving God.

In a similar way we talk about the ministry being God’s calling.  I was called by the people of Hopewell Church.  I was called by God through the people of this church to preach and teach.  And there are days where I may not want to get up here and preach.  But I recognize that I am called to this.  And that helps to light a fire under me.  I don’t just have to do this (because it is my job), I need to do this (because it is my life’s calling).

This is the way that the Bible tells us that we are to view our hardships.  When we experience trouble, especially the kind of problems that come as a result of following Christ, we are to see this as God’s calling.

Right now Christians in Syria are suffering.  Just this past weekend it was reported by the ChristianPost.com that approximately 1000 Christians were massacred by Islamic Jihadists.  We continue to hear stories about Christian suffering coming out of Nigeria.  And we can give reports of all kinds of Christians who are suffering in this world.  

Now, how are we to view that?  Are we to view it as senseless violence?  That doesn’t give you much hope if you are one of the people at the sharp end of the machete.  If it’s just random evil that seems to win the day, then yes, kill me.  Because that’s such a despairing thought!

But it hits you differently when you understand that this is God’s calling for those people.  If it’s God’s calling to die for Christ, there’s meaning to it.  There’s a reason for it.

But you too will also have your fair share.  There will be some part that you have in sharing in those hardships.  Now, to equip you for it, God wants you to understand that it isn’t something random or accidental.  This is not just Satan dogging you and doing his worst to you.  God has a plan and purpose in this suffering.  And he is calling you to go through it because he wants to accomplish something by it.

So that’s where we need to begin.  We need to begin with the proper mindset.  We must not view suffering merely as a terrible thing.  It is not to be considered an accidental thing or even a satanic thing.  The Lord wants us to look at our hardships and see them as a divine calling.

But that only leads us to another question.  If it is God’s calling in our life to suffer, how then are we to handle it?  How should I behave in the midst of this suffering?

And that’s exactly what he goes on to explain in verses 22 and 23.  

II. How are we to handle it?  [21b-23]
If you back up to verse 21, you see it says that “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we might follow in his steps.”  

Peter is saying that Jesus is our model.  In times of suffering, we need to look to Christ.  We need to see him as the pattern for how we ought to react to our suffering.  

And you will notice that in verses 22-23 Peter gives us a basic outline of what Jesus did in his life.  It’s a short synopsis of Jesus’ entire life of obedience.

How are we to behave in our suffering?  Peter first says that we must live righteously.  

A.  By living a righteous life
Verse 22 tells us that Jesus “committed no sin neither was deceit found in his mouth.”

You may wonder why it says that there was no deceit found in his mouth after it says he committed no sin.  It should be obvious that he didn’t lie because he didn’t sin.  It’s simply repetition.  As James says in his epistle, if a man does not sin in what he says, he is a perfect man.

Peter is simply emphasizing that Jesus did not take any liberties in his behavior during this life.  He maintained a spirit of self control at all times.  He didn’t give in to the temptation to vent or complain.  He didn’t gripe or act out when he didn’t get his way.  He didn’t become bitter at the people who mistreated him or start navel gazing because he felt bad for himself.

Scripture is clear:  Jesus sought to bear his afflictions with humility.  He bore his sorrows with patience.  Never once did he become self consumed, but was he was always thinking of others even while he was being tortured.  

His life was perfectly conformed to the law of God in every possible way.

And Peter says that this is the standard that we are to seek to emulate.  When we suffer, we should strive to be obedient too.  We should make it our aim to be like Jesus who would not give in to the temptation to sin.

What often happens is that we use our suffering as an excuse to sin. We say, “Well, I couldn’t help it because of my circumstances.  The kids were doing this or that.  It was just hectic and there was so much pressure that I ended up sinning.

It is common to hear people say, “Well, you would too if you were in my situation.”

Peter is saying that your circumstances are going to be bad.  Your situation may indeed be rough.  But it is not an excuse to sin.  In that moment you are called to walk in all uprightness. We must show the highest degree of integrity at all times.  And we must suffer well by seeking to be obedient to the law of God.  

But that’s not all we are supposed to do.  Peter also says that we must refuse to retaliate.  
B.By turning the other cheek (refusing to retaliate)

How does a Christian behave in times of suffering?  You must turn the other cheek.  Look at verse 23.  Peter says, “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten.”

One of the first reactions we typically have is to get revenge.  If someone causes us to suffer, our natural instinct is to get back at them.  We allow ourselves to become angry and lash out in violence.  
Even if that violence is simply verbal, we must recognize that it is not the spirit of gentleness that we are called to.  We must not retaliate, but rather aim to keep a spirit of self control and peace.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus told us that we need to turn the other cheek.  We need to be able to hold our peace and not let insults provoke us to anger.  

And Jesus exemplified that for us.  People mocked him.  People insulted him.  They said things that (let’s be honest) would have hurt his feelings.  We often think that Jesus was impervious to such things.  We might think that, he was the Son of God, surely such things didn’t bother him.

But I think it is safe to say that the Son of God felt bad when people lobbed insults at him.  It hurt him just like it would have hurt us.  These were some of the miseries that made him to be the “Man of Sorrows.”  

But he didn’t try to get back at them.  He wasn’t petty like that.  He resisted the temptation to get even.  

And in that respect, he is a model for us.  He exemplifies the kind of composure we are to have.  He shows us that we need to rises above the name calling.  We need to be able to resist the temptation to retaliate.

When it comes to our behavior, Peter tells us we need to live righteously, turn the other cheek, and trust in the Lord.  

C. By trusting God’s 
We need to trust that God, in his Providence, will work things out.

Look at verse 23.  It ends by saying that Jesus “continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Do you know why Jesus didn’t retaliate?  Do you know why he was able to keep from sin?  It’s because he had faith.  

Jesus believed that this world was not operating on its own.  He believed that there was a transcendent being who was actively involved in this world.  And Jesus knew that this Judge would not let the sins of men have the final say.  He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that justice would prevail in due time.

And when you get down to it, our failures in times of suffering boil down to this: We do not truly believe that God is sovereign.  We don’t believe he will take care of us.  We do not believe he can or will make things right.  

Subconsciously we are atheists.  We doubt God’s interest in acting.  And that’s why we believe that we have to take matters into our own hands. 

But this is what you are called to do.  You are to trust in the goodness and the God-ness of God.  You need to remember that he wants what is right more than you do.  And you need to remember the promises he makes.  He will not let the guilty go unpunished.  He helps those who are helpless.  He remembers his people and he acts on their behalf.  

So there you have a little summary of what is required of you.  In times of suffering, you need to trust in the Lord, turn the other cheek, and strive for a life of obedience and integrity.

God calls you into these times of suffering.  And in these times of suffering God calls you to demonstrate the kind of godliness that Jesus himself had.

Now, there’s one more thing that I want to mention.  We understand how we are to view suffering and what we are supposed to do in times of suffering.  But how do we make it through the suffering?
Let’s face it.  Nobody wants to suffer.  And when you are going through difficult times it’s natural to think that you are not going to make it.  It’s easy to become a little overwhelmed.  So you need some encouragement.  What’s the light at the end of the tunnel?


III. How do we make it through it? [24-25]
I’ll tell you what you need.  You need the gospel.

You’ll notice that in verses 24-25 Peter gives one of the most striking presentations of the gospel.  Speaking of Jesus, he says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.  25  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

It’s interesting.  Peter had been telling us how we can mimic Jesus.  He was setting Jesus before us so that he could be our example.  But in these verses, Peter flips things.  He launches into a full proclamation of the gospel.  Jesus isn’t just our example anymore.  In these verses he is our savior.  
He’s the one who suffered in the most extreme way possible.  He bore our sins in his body on the tree.  And Peter says his suffering was not without any kind of effect.  It was so that your sins can be wiped out.  It was so that you can begin to live a righteous life.

What will get you through your hardships?  It’s by remembering that your life has been changed.  Because of what Christ has done for you, you have a new life.

What is Peter doing?  He’s reminding us of the strength that is afforded us.

When we suffer, we typically become weak--very weak.  Exhaustion sets in.  Not just physical exhaustion, but spiritual kind too.  Our souls become weary.  And we begin to think, “I just can’t do it anymore.”  And we think, “How can I do this?  How can I continue to maintain the kind of composure that the Lord wants of me?”  The spiritual fatigue makes us want to give into our flesh.  It becomes so hard to resist those temptations to retaliate and ventilate.

But Peter’s saying that you have everything you need to persevere.  You may feel like its too much, but you can continue to persevere because Christ has bore your iniquity.  By his wounds you have been healed.  And therefore, your sinful nature does not have to win out.

What do you do in that spiritual fatigue?  When facing that pain, you turn to face Christ and remember how precious he is to you.

In the book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom recounts the incredible suffering she and her sister, Betsie, endured at the hands of the Germans.  They had been taken into a concentration camp and there they faced all kinds of miseries.  They were malnourished and abused, they were forced to sleep in flea infested, overcrowded barracks.  The linens they had were soiled and they had little to speak of in terms of hygiene.  Despite the horrid conditions, the sisters always found ways to give thanks and rejoice.

One incident that ten Boom records was about how they were out digging.  They were forced to perform certain jobs.  And they were made to take up some shovels and dig.  Corrie’s sister was already frail, but she was becoming even weaker due to the heavy labors.  She hadn’t had enough food to sustain her and she was loosing strength.  

The guards noticed how she was not picking much up with her shovel.  So they began to mock and torture her.  They hit her.  One of the guards whipped her so badly that it left a searing gash on Betsie’s neck.  

Corrie lunged at the guard, but Betsie held her back, telling her to remain calm.  In proximity she was able to view just how bad the laceration was.  Corrie was filled with rage and despair.  How awful.  How cruel.  To this Betsie remarked, “Don’t look at it, Corrie.  Look at Jesus only.”

Betsie understood exactly what is needed in those times of hardship.  If our eyes are on the pains and difficulties of this world, then there’s not a lot of hope to be had.  We can easily fall into despair.  We can easily give into temptation.

But when our eyes are focused on our Savior, then we find the help we need in that moment.  We gain the hope.  We can keep our composure.  We can suffer well because our Savior’s suffering has brought us life.