Responding to Suffering
May 21, 2023

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you…Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever. Amen. —1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11


“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.” —1 Peter 4:12

Hardship and suffering is to be

in the life of believers.

“…rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ…” —1 Peter 4:13

Our response to suffering and hardship is to be

.

We rejoice in a

.

“…rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.” —1 Peter 4:13

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time…” —1 Peter 5:6

“…the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm…” —Deuteronomy 26:8

We rejoice in a

.

“If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you…” —1 Peter 4:14

“…casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” —1 Peter 5:7

“God’s care for God’s people is expressed in God’s response to our prayers if we humbly ask for help when we need it.” —Jennifer Kaaulund

“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” —1 Peter 5:8-9

“He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.” —Colossians 2:15 MSG

“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. To him be dominion forever. Amen.” —1 Peter 5:10-11

“We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” —2 Corinthians 4:8-9


For further study:
Scripture: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; John 17:1-11
Resources: “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth” by Sojourner Truth

Community Group Guide:
How does it feel to acknowledge the existence and longevity of suffering and hardship in the world and in the lives of believers?
How did you initially respond to Peter’s call to rejoice in suffering?
Is it easier for you to rejoice in suffering and hardship by seeing the “future hope” or the “present help” that God provides?
Does it seem strange to reflect on the “holler”of enslaved black women as an example of rejoicing? What might rejoicing in suffering look like in your life?
Are there ways you can pray for someone experiencing hardship in your group? Spend time praying for one another.

To prepare for next week: Pentecost; Acts 2:1-21