Christian Suffering
Open Your Bible
1 Peter 4:12-19, Isaiah 11:1-5, Matthew 5:3-12
BY Kaitlin Wernet
These days, there’s a pair of boxing gloves resting on the passenger’s seat of my car, and it makes me entirely giddy. While I’m certain I’m also improving my self defense skills and I hope to intimidate all those around me at the sight of my gloves, that’s not why I have them at all. I recently joined a boxing gym with one of my coworkers. It’s something I never thought I’d do for a million reasons, and exactly why I love it so much.
You see, the past year I’ve battled opponents like chronic pain, fatigue, and depression, which wiped me out and put me on the sidelines for weeks-turned-months on end. I am still far from winning these matches, but I’m thankful that some of the very worst parts have lifted, leaving a little space for hopeful and fun activities like exercise—things I had missed immensely. So I guess you could say my jab-jab-cross-uppercut enthusiasm is fueled by gratefulness for my newfound health and the growing distance between me and long, sleepless nights. I am doing this for my former self who couldn’t.
Suffering can feel like a tough blow to the head or a punch right in the stomach, but Jesus has already fought for us and given us strength we could never muster for ourselves. And now, we suffer differently, for our former selves who couldn’t survive sin at all. Instead of backing down to pain, we rejoice when His glory is revealed, and even we “are ridiculed for the name of Christ, [we] are blessed” (1 Peter 4:13–14). We do not suffer in the same way others do because we know exactly how the battle ends.
One of the first things I learned in boxing was how to wrap my hands before putting them inside the gloves. Using a cloth bandage, I begin by wrapping my wrists, then criss-cross around my hand, covering each knuckle and protecting each finger. And because I do this, I know I’ll be safe, no matter how hard I hit the punching bag.
When we face hard times as children of God, we are given something to wrap around our hearts for protection: the truth of who He is. We cover our minds in Scripture, trusting that no matter what we face, we do not face it without our Father, who wears a belt of righteousness and a sash of faithfulness (Isaiah 11:5).
With these words, He makes sure all our doubts are answered and all our fears are covered by His love for us. So when we step into the ring of discomfort, we already know the outcome; we are called blessed by the Lord, our God. Thanks be to Him.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the humble,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”
– Matthew 5:3–6
34 thoughts on "Christian Suffering"
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vs. 14 “If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
Today when I read that verse I realized, when I am ridiculed living for Christ, it is because Christ is seen in me.
That is a blessing.
That is what we live for, right – for Christ to be seen in us.
We live to be His Love.
We live to shine His Light.
Someone who sees Jesus in me and fights against what they see, fights against Christ and His love.
Someone who sees Jesus in me fights because The Light is breaking through their darkness, and it has made them uncomfortable.
Instead of being caught up in the wrongness of being ridiculed for Christ,
which is really just caught up in “me”
I want to focus on the blessing that someone who needs Jesus
saw Him,
and God used me in the tiniest part of it.vs. 19 “So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.”
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1 Peter 3:15 is noted today. In to worship Christ as Lord of my life. And, in response to the one who asks, I’m to be ready to explain about the hope I have as a believer. Which reminds me that my life should reflect the hope I have, that it must be so noticeable to others that they would be curious enough to ask about it. Is my life a magnet for others to be drawn to a curiosity about what /Whom I have?
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In my circle of friends, some are referring to themselves as Believers rather than Christian since Christian tends to bring a negative response.
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Rachel, last week we read, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1 Peter 3:15 NASB. We are to be ready to make a defense to everyone who ASKS. And this is to be done with gentleness and reverence. We are not to go out looking for an argument or debate to win. That said, I do believe we need to be bold for Christ. We are to be praying for God to bring people to us whom He wants us to share Christ with.
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To Rachel M., very good question. As a nurse, I have learned the hard truth that all doctors will actually contribute to a death of a patient. Likewise, I think it is possible that everyone will be hurt by a Christian. I think of myself, being way too severe on our firstborn. I can only apologize which I have done. I was deeply hurt while part of CCC while in college. Now I am talking about it. Now we are in a relationship oriented church with an emphasis on the working of the Holy Spirit. If our motive isn’t love, empowered by the Spirit, I remind myself to keep my mouth shut. I also find a quiet courage and testimony when the time is right. Courage, dear hearts. Do you know who said that?
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Unfortunately in my experience you mention the word “Christian” around a non-believer their walls automatically go up. The conversation changes and the tension rises. I feel like it can be such a delicate situation sharing your faith. Building that rapport with someone is really important to showing Jesus through you, without “shoving it” in their face. At the same time, we are not here to please people and dance around things that actually matter. We are here to please God and share His love. Any thoughts on this topic?
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Since I am a day behind, I don’t know if you will see this. Your question made me think of what my former pastor (now retired) said, which is that you have to develop the relationship, the friendship, before they are likely to actually listen to what you share about Jesus. Why would they listen if they have no idea who you are? But we should also live so that those around us are drawn to Who is in us & are curious about the hope we have.
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I too have a pair of brand new boxing gloves in my car. I just joined Rock Steady Boxing which is a therapy program for people with Parkinson’s disease. I was just diagnosed 2 months ago with early onset Parkinson’s at the age of 49. My world has been shaken as I strive to fight the worry and fear of the road that lies ahead.
Kathy, my heart desires to reflect what you said – ” I want to walk through my suffering in such a way that no one can question His presence in my life”. I want to be willing for God to use this suffering in my life to bring Him glory and impact lives around me. I have been using SRT for several years but have never commented but I am so thankful for an online community of Godly women to connect with for daily reassurance, reminders, and challenges to help me stay focused on Him and His purpose for me and not on my struggles in this world that need to be daily relinquished to Him. He’s in control no matter how out of control I feel.
Psalm 34:4-8
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and rescued me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant with joy;
their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him from all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and rescues them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him! -
So when I step into the ring of discomfort, I already know the outcome, I am called, blessed by the Lord our God. Thank you Kaitlyn for these words. I made them personal by using “I” statements for me. I will be stepping into the ring of discomfort as most of you know I go to court Friday, March 1. I know God is with me. I’ve been reading God’s word and being comforted by HIM. Why human nature is scared, but I know God is with me.
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“My”
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