Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Why do Christians willingly suffer?

Peter makes it clear that it is for the glory of God. When we are torn down before men or stricken with illness yet possess steely-eyed faith in our savior, it makes him look really good. Unwavering, faithful witness in the midst of suffering says a lot about the one in whom we put our trust.

And God does not neglect those who stand for him. We are promised gladness when his glory is revealed to actually rest upon us (v 13-14). Imagine you were working late on a Friday night wrestling with a shortened temper and sulking into self-pity when all of a sudden, the president of the United States in all his glory comes into your office and personally thanks you for your sacrifice, offering you dinner. All the strife from your suffering would evaporate in an instant and you would see that it was all worth it. Suffering for his name’s sake gets our Father’s attention so much that he promises to abide with us (v 14).

Then why not suffer aimlessly? What is to stop us from putting our hand on a hot stove as a part of our daily devotions?

It is because we suffering in accordance with God’s will, and his will alone. Christians shouldn’t want to suffer. Christians should want to obey God, even at the cost of suffering. And when we find its scorching heat at our doorstep, we would not question God’s intentions, even at the cost of our life.

But consider how blindly we tend to question God for our own lives and those we love. Sympathy means that you believe a situation is sub-optimal needing change. And we try and splash it on so many of God’s plans.

“If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right-standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way— not in a human way that ignores God.” Oswald Chambers

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.