1 Peter 4:12-19
1 Peter 4:12-19 is all about suffering for being a Christian. Right away Peter gives us the hard news--that trials will be part of our lives and we need to expect them--but then he spends the next several verses encouraging us and letting us know what a privilege it is to suffer for the sake of Christ. I particularly liked verse 14 where he tells us that if we're insulted for the name of Christ, we're blessed because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon us.
So did 1 Peter 4:12-19 change your perspective on going through trials and suffering? What encouragement did you take from this passage? Tami W.
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I ran into a friend at the store and wanted to comfort her because her husband found out he had cancer. I felt bad because as usual my words were untimely. I said "I don't know why we cling so much to this earth when there is so much more better waiting for us in heaven." She said her husband wanted to see his children graduate and have a full life with them but he has cancer and this interferes with their plan. It is hard to tell someone its a priveledge to suffer with Christ....It sounds so cruel.Even when we have great faith it is not easy.
I realize this passage is meant that our suffering should be from standing up for Christ not from illness.
Please pray with me for this family and all those who are in pain and suffering.
This is a verse of scripture I definitely need to commit to memory! Many times the Bible speaks of those who are blessed for their sufferings in the name of Christ (Jas 5:11; Mk 13:13). I think the challenge for me is *remembering* this before I react with emotions to insults from others. It is all too easy to retaliate with anger, and I need to remind myself of Mat 7:13 as well!
I grew up knowing these verses, so it did not change my perspective on having trials. What caught my attention was the phrase "as a meddler". Sometimes we get so busy helping others, usually starting with the right attitude & motive, but we lose focus. That is when we become meddlers. (Grant it, some people are meddlers by character too.) We forget that God is the one who knows how to do things and we are His instruments to assist in helping. We are the instruments played in the orchestra, not the conductor. In other words, we are not God and do not know everything. Our prayers should include asking God for opportunities to be helpful, but also asking for the wisdom to stop before we become meddlers. Does that make sense?
Change my perspective?I think that remains the same.In a version of "Our Daily Bread" 3 or 4 months ago, a writer come up with 4 reasons WHY WE GO THROUGH TRIALS!Interesting subject to say the least!
1.Spiritual maturity(Gods trying to "grow us up" in the mental sense & spiritual state
2.Strenghthen our faith in God
3Humble us.Sometimes we can get "too high & mighty on our own perch"when in reality God is who + only he can do it all
4.Draw us closer to him.Distractions of our flesh & our enemy(Satan aka The devil try to drive a wedge in between us & Christ
We still may hate our trials & trying times but if we do as th "Apostle Paul & Silas do in Acts 16:25 Thanking & praising God not focus on ourselves an our own problems & acknowledging his sovereign power we will be the Christian he intends for us to be!
I was encouraged by this passage in several ways. One, a reminder not to be 'surprised' when you're suffering while enduring difficult trials [when you KNOW you're doing the will of God]. At times, some trials can tempt us in our thinking & in our emotions that we're 'doing something wrong' or 'going the wrong way' when we've sought God time & time again & He has encouraged us through His Word that we're on the right path. Two, it's also a blessing to be reminded that when we suffer for the name of Christ, we're BLESSED b/c God rests upon us [that really encouraged me b/c it confirms that supernatural peace and joy that you experience even when your circumstances are screaming at you!...what a wonderfully reassuring comfort!!]Three, just to reflect upon Paul's journey is also encouraging. It strengthens me in my journey in that this 'suffering' that I'm experiencing 'doing God's will' is not in vain & that I can actually REJOICE about it!! God is so awesome how He encourages each of us in such unique & individual ways! Thank you for sharing Tami!!
Tami, that same verse jumped out at me too. What an honour! We will go through trials and temptations but we must never ever give up. When we sin ask for forgivesness as 1 John 1:9 tells us. Remember, we are mortals and we are weak. When you are having time with God do not allow anyone to tempt you to leave it stick to it because it is our daily food. May God always be with us. Mary, I just said a prayer for your friend. may God grant him life to see his children grow up and may they all walk in the path He has made for them. May God's blessings rest on us this day and always.
If I may, Mat.5:10-12, from Jesus' powerful Sermon on the Mount:
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
This passage has always been in the forefront of my mind. As a child, it was so easy for me to remember, it seemed. We all want to be blessed, and the promise of great reward does not exactly displease us. But...Jesus is letting us know, right on the spot, that He's mindful of what we'll experience, for HIS NAME, and of the paths we'll be walking thru. (Think about Saul, when Jesus sent Ananias to him, to do what? Yes, to "show him what great things he must suffer for my name!") Wow! We may not walk thru entirely unscathed, but He walks with us, guides us when we let Him, holds our hand, and sees to it we get where we need to be.
I once complained to a dear Christian friend about a time of trial I was experiencing, and she said, "Susie, every thing you go thru is training for the next thing you'll go thru! Ha! I said, "Are you serious? It gets harder and worse than this, each time?"
But the prize looms so much greater, dear friends. And the blessing will be so much sweeter.
My encouragement comes from, v: 15 and 16 ..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. How much better is it to be known as a Christian than a thief or an evildoer. Regardless of the suffering we all prefer to be good.
Mary, I hear your heart. I will keep that family in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my dad many years ago. When I think back on it, I realize that God has an agenda that we often don't understand.
I am a stronger woman because I lost my dad when I was young.
The scripture verse for today was a good reminder to me that going through persecution because of what we do for Christ is a blessing. We don't know who might be brought to Christ or how God might use our suffering if we keep a Christ-like attitude. I also know that God will not allow us to go through anything we cannot handle. God is always by our side. God gives us strength, wisdom and courage just exactly when we need it and how we need it.
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?”
I am so tired of blowing it! Seems the more testing of my faith comes the more I mess up. Once a fool always a fool? How can I be a witness to my family when I keep doing stupid things. Oh wretched woman that I am. I do trust You Lord. Help me to trust You more.