Living Hope Day 11

Living Hope Day 11 Reading:

1 Peter 3:13-17

Ponder

It’s not the message we want to hear, but Scripture is pretty clear that suffering is part of the deal when it comes to following Christ. “In this world, you will have trouble,” Jesus said in John 16:33, “but, take heart! I have overcome the world!” 

As I write this devotion, I’ve been in a bit of a season of suffering. I’m not suffering for my faith, but I am mourning and grieving the loss of a relationship. When the relationship first broke down, I was almost manic in my attempts to fix it. I called. I prayed. I texted. 

And that relationship has not been restored or reconciled yet. I say yet because I fully believe that some day it will be, but for right now the season God has placed me in is one of suffering, mourning and grieving. He has invited me to stop all my striving and trust him to work according to his timing. It’s a time to lament, to pray and to wait on the Lord, trusting in his flawless character and absolute faithfulness. 

So as I read today’s passage, I think about Peter’s original audience, who were being persecuted and suffering daily. But I also think of those of us today in seasons of suffering, whether because we live in a broken world full of broken relationships and sin that destroys or because—like the original recipients of the letter, we’ve lived faithful obedient lives that the world doesn’t like.  

Let Peter’s words to those suffering Christians be a balm to your soul in this season. Rather than focusing on the here-and-now, remember whose you are. As a Christian, you are blessed, and no one can take that away. Shift your focus, understanding that while this season of suffering may seem like it will never end, it will—but the blessing and inheritance you have in Christ won’t. Make Christ your focus and live your life, in seasons of suffering, seasons of joy and every season in between, to honor him. And when the world takes notice that you don’t fear suffering, tell them the reason for your hope and let your life be a testimony to the world of the Savior you serve. 

Journal

• How would you describe your life right now? A season of suffering or one of joy? A season of waiting or a season of seeing God’s promises come to fruition? 

• Think about seasons of suffering in your life. Is it easy for you to focus on how bad the circumstances are than shift your focus to eternal things? Why or why not? 

• When have you seen someone make Christ his or her focus during suffering? What did that person’s example teach you? How did you see God’s flawless character and absolute faithfulness on display? 

• If you’re in a season of suffering, what steps will you take today to lift your eyes from the circumstances and trust God to work in middle of the mess?