Living Hope Day 15

Living Hope Day 15 Reading:

1 Peter 4:12-13

Ponder

A friend of mine sometimes asks me why life here is so hard, so filled with disappointments and tragedy. “In this world you will have trouble,” I often quote to her, reciting John 16:33, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

And while I absolutely believe that verse is true, I’ll admit that most of the time, suffering surprises me, too. Why me?, I wonder. Why did this have to happen? 

Peter knew his audience, and he knew that they, like us, would likely respond to suffering in the same way. His response was clear: Don’t be surprised because if you seek to live a holy life in an unholy world, you’re going to face resistance. You will suffer. In this world, you will have trouble. 

But don’t despair. 

When we’re in a season of suffering, it’s easy to believe that God has abandoned us. When our cries of “Why?” are met with silence, we often all too easily believe that God has left us to suffer alone, but Peter shows us that belief couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Read verse 13 again, maybe even out loud. Don’t despair because when you face trials, you’re not alone. The one who suffered on your behalf joins you in that suffering. When you face persecution, when you’re left out and overlooked because of your desire to live a godly life, when you suffer because of your faith, you are living out the example of Jesus Christ himself. As we’re told in James 1:2, count it all joy when you suffer because in that moment you are a partner with Christ. Your Savior suffered more on your behalf than you could ever imagine, and when you face trials, he is your constant companion and your example. 

If you’re actively seeking to live a holy life, trials will come. But don’t be surprised and don’t be afraid. You’re not alone, and you’re in good company. 

Journal

• What’s your first reaction to suffering? Explain. 

• When you’re facing a trial, what tempts you to fall into despair? What helps you to refocus on Christ? 

• How have you experienced Jesus walking beside you in times of trial or suffering? What did he teach you through those experiences? 

• Journal a short prayer, thanking God that he doesn’t leave you to navigate trials and suffering on your own.