Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. (I Peter 4:19)
These are difficult words. They are hard to understand. Suffering according to the will of God seems like such a contradiction. God wills that we should suffer? I have to admit that is a statement I do not understand.
Yet, we are called to trust ourselves to God – knowing that He is doing what is right. Earlier in the same chapter, Peter says:
“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4: 1-2).
Reading this verse encourages me to self-reflect upon how I am different now, though I can in no way compare my suffering to that of Christ’s. Have I ceased from sin? The honest answer is “No.” But I am different. I am more aware of the sin in my life and more ready to have it removed. I have to remind myself that becoming Christlike is a process, and for whatever reason, my physical challenges are part of that process. Have I changed? I believe the answer is “Yes.”
I look to God more now. I try to have regular prayer and study times. I am quicker to seek His guidance.
As I have more time to spend in God’s word, I find there are places I need to continue to change. God has showed me that pride, apathy, having the urge to grumble and complain, and gossip are all areas that need refining. I feel as if I am more in tune to the convictions of the Holy Spirit now.
I am more convinced of the power of prayer now, and the power of community with Christ’s own. I have come to believe that things in my life are not random. Each day, I see myself falling short in some area, and each day God gives me a new resolve to trust Him to help me. My life is changing. I am more open to living for the will of God.
I admit it is hard for us to focus on the positives, but I do believe that is what God wants us to do. How about you? Can you look to the challenges God has given you and see His refining process at work? Can you find at least one place where God has used your challenges to mold you into his image? Are you open to His doing so?
I have heard it said that we either get “bitter” or “better”. Which direction are you going? Do you trust God that He is doing what is right?
Father God, sometimes the things you call us to are so difficult. Yet, over and over again, you call on us to trust you in situations that we do not understand and so often, do not like. I pray you give each reader an extraordinary awareness of You and Your love today, so that they may rest confident that even in the most difficult of situations, You can bring an ultimate good. Amen and Amen, Lord. So be it!