…but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings… —1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, “Oh, I can’t deal with that person.” Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered “according to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— “God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!”
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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord, This is consistent with what you’ve shown us recently… that we may only see what’s really happened as we look back, see in the rear view mirror. But even then, thru a glass darkly. I suppose we’ll see it all crystal clear when we get there. But then maybe we won’t even be concerned or try to figure those things out….. Can we approach suffering or impending suffering with this attitude of not trying to figure it out or avoid it or control the outcome? Just live in peace and curiosity and delight, knowing that you are good and we are secure? Is that too “pollyanna?” Or is that a mature Christian’s expectation on how to live?
That is exactly how you can live. That is how Peter and Paul were able to rejoice in prison and how Daniel thrived in the lion’s den.
Daniel 3:18 New Living Translation
But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
I don’t allow suffering for suffering’s sake. It can only be understood and “appreciated” when seen in context and as you have found, that sometimes can only be seen in the rear view mirror. Part of the context is always the “other side of the coin” You only appreciate warmth after you’ve been cold… Seeing in context leads to gratitude for the good that cannot be achieved without experiencing the not so good. Lack of suffering leads to self absorbed, spoiled brat Christians.
But we’re programed to seek pleasure and avoid pain. All living creatures from amoeba on up…
Yes but I gave you the power to choose. Don’t worry about trying to set up learning experiences for yourself or others. And don’t worry about the outcomes of the trials. There will be enough learning opportunities if you just live and walk with me. That is all you need to do. live and walk with me.
But shouldn’t we try to improve our situation? Get ourselves and our loved ones out of bad circumstances?
Yes, but only as I lead you thru our connection. I’ll show you how and when. If you wait for my direction instead of charging off on your own… you can live in that peace exampled by Peter and Paul and Daniel.
1 Corinthians 7:21-24 (NLT)
21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
