Suffering.
It’s a part of life. Everyone goes through suffering, pain, or hurt. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, or male and female, every person will go through suffering.
Now, the degree of suffering is different for every person. Some face a higher amount of suffering. This can be caused by outside forces such as economic hardship, political unrest, or natural disasters. There are external and systemic forces that cause suffering to you and others. It is outside of your control. For instance, if you lived in Europe or Asia in the mid-1300s, you probably suffered through the Black Plague. It killed an estimated 25 million people. If you were alive during World War 2 in the 1940s, then you had probably had to confront war, genocide, and massacres. 75 million people died from World War 2. And as you read this in the 21st century, we are all suffering through the pandemic that is impacting every part of the world.
There are several external factors that impact our level of suffering. We can’t contain and control them; we can only control our own choices and actions. What should our attitude and action be toward suffering?
The Apostle Peter shares in 1 Peter 3 that we will all suffer. It is part of human life and experience. He argues that if that’s every person suffers then it is better for Christians and believers to suffer doing the right thing than for doing the wrong thing (1 Peter 3:17).
You may be wondering why should you suffer to do good? Peter mentions that when you do suffer for good, there are benefits. He mentions that you will be blessed in your life (1 Peter 3:9). Also, your future will have “good days” (1 Peter 3:10). God will also see and listen to your prayers (1 Peter 3:12). God’s wrath and punishment are on those who do evil. God knows and is keeping track of their evil. He will punish in his time.
So what does it look like to suffer to do good? Here are three ways for what that looks like.
Speak Positively When People speak Negatively To You
People like to criticize and judge. You may have been on the receiving end of that especially on social media. If not, people may talk behind your back or gossip about you. It is natural to pay back a negative comment with a negative comment. However, Peter shares that you are to repay an evil comment with a blessing rather than with an insult (1 Peter 3:9). You are to give them an affirmation and bless them rather than curse them. Can you imagine doing that to someone that hurts you or criticizes you in public? That is a good type of suffering.
Forgiving Those That Hurt You
There is someone that has hurt you and deeply wounded you. It may be from your past relationships or maybe from someone this past week. It happens. It’s natural to hold that grudge and think of ways to exact revenge. That is the bad type of suffering that Peter mentions. It only brings up negativity and pain. It perpetuates the cycle of evil.
However, Peter shares that if you will suffer for good then he encourages us to suffer by forgiving (1 Peter 3:8, 11). Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you forget what they did. It does not mean that they are right to hurt you. It means that you don’t hold onto the anger, pain, and hurt. You let it go and you are willing to move forward. This does not mean you will be best friends again. Trust will need to be built up slowly. It takes two people to reconcile. If they are not willing too then you may not reconcile with them. You are responsible and commanded to forgive those that hurt you. When you do this, you are choosing not to be haunted by the past. You will let it go and wish the best for them. This is suffering for good.
Serving And Helping Others
We only have so much time, money, and energy. It is easy to focus on ourselves throughout the day. This creates a bad type of suffering. The suffering results in a lack of purpose, unsatisfied with life, and isolation. Peter encourages us to “love one another” in 1 Peter 3:8. This means helping and thinking about others. This means volunteering to serve and help others. When you do this, you will are experiencing a good kind of suffering. You will suffer by waking up early on your day off. It may mean you suffer because you can’t play golf or watch Sunday morning football as much as you like. Instead of focusing on comfort and yourself, you choose to suffer to do something good. This gives you more fulfillment, purpose, and contentment. There is a sense that you are building something bigger than yourself. You are making a difference in the world and in the kingdom of God.
These are some areas that Peter mentions are the good kind of suffering. I think it also includes other parts of our lives as well. It includes our physical, financial, relational, and emotional lives. We have a choice in every part of our lives to suffer to do the right thing or suffer to do the wrong thing. For instance, with the type of food. Whether you eat well or eat poorly, you will suffer. Both have consequences.
If you choose to eat poorly then you get to enjoy those foods at the moment. You enjoy that juicy prime rib along with fully loaded potatoes and coke beverage. You can enjoy junk food all the time. At the moment, it tastes delicious and sweet to your body. In the long run, though, you will suffer. Your health will get worse. Watch Super Size Me to see the effects of eating Junk Food every day. It will harm your body. The long term effect of this results in your health failing and not being able to enjoy life and your family. You can’t live your purpose for as long as you would like.
On the other hand, you can choose to eat healthier. You may choose to get a salad instead of a burger and fries. You may choose to eat fruit rather than candy. Your taste buds and cravings may suffer at the moment. It may not feel satisfying and tasty. But in the long run, your body will be healthier and stronger. You will have more energy and feel better. You will live longer to fulfill what God has for you.
Every choice and decision we make will result in suffering. It just a question if you want to experience the good or bad type of suffering. We just need to choose how we want to live our life.
How can you suffer for good today?
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