Glorify God in your suffering

Joseph Robinson

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1 Peter 4:12–19 ESV

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 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? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Do not be surprised

The word Peter uses here is the same word he uses in verse 4.

This is the idea to be or become emotionally or cognitively impacted by the introduction of something new or strange.

1 Peter 4:4 ESV

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

David Helm compiled this list of trials that Peter uses in his writing:

1. seasons in life where there is a lack of provision, power, position, protection and a sense of permanence.

2. receive verbal or physical persecution. (1 Peter 2:12, 18-20, 23, 3:16; 4:1-6, 12-16)

3. pain experienced with having a loved one dealing with a terminal and debilitating illness.

4. battling the attacks of Satan

We should not be surprised when these things happen to us, for Jesus clearly told us what to expect.

John 15:20 ESV

20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

2 Timothy 2:3 ESV

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

This is why the Word of Faith teaching is dangerous and unBiblical. It teaches a message that is opposite of the Bible.

Do not think it strange

The secular definition of trauma directs the focus and treatment protocol. Trauma implies that the responses a person is displaying are a disorder, something that must be swiftly resolved and removed. There is no intent or desire to understand the situation; it focuses on the individual's symptoms.[1]This methodology has created a “checklist diagnosis” protocol and “medication management” instead of understanding and discernment.[2]The person's focus becomes external for responsibility and internal for importance; the individual’s trauma is of utmost importance and resolved quickly. This belief makes the individual’s comfort the central concern in the trauma.[3]Thus the individual’s comfort and symptoms become the center and sole focus of the trauma.[4] This focus builds the belief that trauma is abnormal and causes shock when it occurs. This observation by Davies, who argues “if suffering is treated as a worthless experience to be removed or managed,” creates a sense of discontent, which he calls “unproductive suffering.”[5]This sense of dissatisfaction “constitutes one of the most damaging results” in how contemporary society approaches suffering.[6]

[1] Keller; Davies, The Importance of Suffering. [2] Gardner and Kleinman, “Medicine and the Mind — The Consequences of Psychiatry’s Identity Crisis.” [3] Davies, The Importance of Suffering; Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering; Adams, The Christian Counselor’s Manual; Adams, Shepherding God’s Flock; Jay E. Adams, Competent to Counsel: Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling, The Jay Adams Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library, 1986). [4] The author is advocating that the individual’s feelings are to be ignored, but instead they are not to become the central issue of the focus. The author’s proposed treatment is discussed in following sections of this paper. [5] Davies, The Importance of Suffering, 165. [6] Davies, 165.

The secular definition of trauma conflicts with the Biblical teaching of suffering at all points except in the severe nature of how it affects an individual. Simply stated, “The Bible takes suffering for granted as part of the normal human lot,” something expected of all humanity.[1]Peter even warns against being surprised at the “fiery trial when it comes,” using ξενίζεσθε, denoting a reaction to something strange or unusual, the same word used a few verses earlier in the chapter (v. 4) describing how the Gentiles act when Christians do not act like them.[2] The consistent message in the Bible is that suffering is normal and the absence of suffering is abnormal; Carson explains, “between the beginning and the end of the Bible, there is evil and there is suffering.”[3] The expectation of suffering as a part of life on earth is a consistent message throughout the history of the Christian faith.[4] The secular use of trauma connects to a shocking realization of negative events because of the centrality of removing discomfort as expediently and painless as possible. The Biblical focus is to expect to suffer and not to be surprised when suffering comes.

[1] Edwards, “Suffering.” [2] 1 Peter 4:12 ESV) Unless otherwise specified, all references in this paper are to the English Standard Version, (ESV) (Wheaton: Good News Publishers, 2001);9 James Strong et al., The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 21st century ed., fully rev. and corrected (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2001), 1629. [3] D. A. Carson, How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil, 2nd ed (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2006). [4] To gain a historical perspective of suffering in the Christian church, see “C. H. Spurgeon: Spurgeon’s Sermons Volume 15: 1869 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library,” accessed June 3, 2021, https://ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermons15/sermons15.vi.html; Jean-Pierre de Caussade, “Abandonment to Divine Providence,” accessed May 25, 2021, https://ccel.org/ccel/decaussade/abandonment/abandonment; John Calvin et al., Calvin’s Commentaries., vol. 21, 23 vols., 23 vols. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2009); John Calvin et al., Calvin’s Commentaries., vol. 19, 23 vols., 23 vols. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2009); Mark Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament(Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2019); David Powlison, God’s Grace in Your Suffering (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2018); Carson, How Long, O Lord?; John Owen, “Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded,” 1681, https://ccel.org/ccel/owen/spirituallyminded/spirituallyminded?queryID=9756162&resultID=1805; MacArthur, Mack, and MacArthur, Counseling; “C. H. Spurgeon: Spurgeon’s Sermons Volume 15: 1869 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library”; John Babler, Biblical Crisis Counseling: Not If, but When, 2014; Adams, A Theology of Christian Counseling; Lambert, A Theology of Biblical Counseling; John MacArthur, 1 Peter, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary(Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2004); David R Helm and R. Kent Hughes, 1 and 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2015); R. C. Sproul, Romans, St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary(Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2009); Edwards, “Suffering”; Martin Luther and Henry Cole, The Bondage of the Will (Place of publication not identified: Feather Trail Press, 2009); Paul David Tripp, Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense (Wheaton: Crossway, 2018); Frank E. Gaebelein, ed., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: With the New Internat. Version of the Holy Bible; in 12 Vol. 5: Psalms - Song of Songs, 2. print (Grand Rapids, Mich: Regency Reference Libr, 1991); Tremper Longman and David E. Garland, eds., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Rev. ed, vol. 5, 5 vols., 5 vols. (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2006); Davies, The Importance of Suffering; C. H. Spurgeon and Roy H. Clarke, The Treasury of David: Spurgeon’s Great Commentary on Psalms, An updated ed. in today’s language, updated by Roy H. Clarke (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1997); Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering; J. Ligon Duncan, When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2020); Terry Enns, “You Need Perseverance - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors,” Https://Biblicalcounseling.Com/ (blog), accessed June 10, 2021, https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/articles/you-need-perseverance/.

Part of the problem is that the modern church has sought to avoid the topic of suffering, so many Christians think suffering is strange.

A topical search in Logos of the words “suffering” and “fear” resulted in two hundred and fifty passages for “fear” and two hundred and fifty-six passages for “suffering.”[1]This topical search showed that these two topics are essentially equal in the frequency in the Bible.

In the over sixty thousand sermons submitted to Faithlife, none of the top ten verses used in 2020 mentioned suffering and preaching on the topic of fear occurred more than twice than suffering.[2]

[1] The author used the topical search function in Logos with the ESV as the Bible translation. While this is not an in-depth analysis of these words, it does provide a quick comparison of these two topics. [2] “Top Sermons & Songs of 2020.”This resource is a valuable tool to gain a broad perspective, as Logos is used by a wide range of churches and denominations. Additionally, the topic of suffering was at the highest point during the month of April, this could easily coincide with Easter and the crucifixion of Jesus.

Are you suffering for Christ or for your sin?

Sometimes our suffering is a result of our sin, not persecution.

Let me tell you, however, Peter warns, that all this applies to suffering for Christ’s sake; it doesn’t characterize all suffering. And it especially has nothing whatever to do with suffering that you bring on yourself by your own sinful conduct. Don’t get the two things confused! Therefore, don’t let any of you suffer because he is a murderer, a thief, or criminal or even as a meddler.

Jay E. Adams

Do not be ashamed

Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV)

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Acts 5:40–41 (ESV)

40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

Colossians 1:24 (ESV)

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

We are not to be ashamed when we suffer for Christ!

How do we respond when someone is suffering?

Do we look at them with disdain?

Are we ashamed when we suffer?

Your suffering as a Christian is not brought upon you for your own sake. You are partners with the great seed of the woman; you are confederates with Christ. You must not think the devil cares much about you—the battle is against Christ in you. Why, if you were not in Christ, the devil would never trouble you. When you were without Christ in the world you might have sinned as you like, your relatives and work mates would not have been at all grieved with you, they would rather have joined you in it; but now the serpent’s seed hates Christ in you.

Charles Spurgeon

Suffering is good?

Blessing occurs in suffering, not only for the person but also for the body of Christ. This message is one of the most challenging to embrace and understand; however, it is one of the most powerful messages in the Scripture once it is understood. Peter use of μακάριος (happiness, divine favor) in 1 Peter 3:14 underscores this message, showing that suffering brings blessing. These are not isolated perspectives but are consistent with those throughout church history.[1]

The Bible is clear that there is a blessing in suffering, even if the cause is self-imposed.

Suffering brings unity to the church; it focuses individuals on Christ and equips believers to share in the suffering of others. When the focus turns to Christ in suffering and “the deeper into weakness and suffering and testing…the deeper Christ’s solidarity with us.”[1]Chrysostom explains that Christ “willingly and deliberately identified in humanity in our sufferings and has experienced these sufferings as his own.”[2]The connection with Christ in suffering is seen in Hebrews 4:15, showing that Christ can sympathize with our suffering. Thomas Goodwin explains, “Christ is able, and his heart is capable of thus being touched,” saying that the use of “συμπαθῆσαις (sympathize) a deep word, signifying to suffer with us until we are relieved.”[3]

Scripture commands believers to share in their suffering; when this occurs, the church becomes united in their love for each other.[4]

Suffering brings clarity to an individual, as it becomes a refining fire cleansing the person from impurity towards holiness.

This action equips the person to become a comfort to others in suffering.

Powlison states, “the comfort you receive from God in your affliction becomes helpful to others in any affliction.”[5] Believers who have experienced suffering become people who are focused on comforting others who are suffering; as Tripp explains, “your suffering positions you to be a uniquely qualified and insightful tool…in the lives of others.”[6]

The New Testament is consistent in teaching shared suffering of all believers, and all believers share suffering with Christ.[7]There are over fifty passages on suffering together and with Christ; however, one verse stands in stark contrast to the psychological use of trauma and intersectionality. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (1 Peter 5:9). Peter explains how suffering brings unity with believers throughout the world and that believers are not alone in their suffering.[8]

David Powlison’s book God’s Grace in your Suffering; explains how he found unity in the anonymous hymn writer who composed “How Firm a Foundation.”[9] He shares that a hymn written two-hundred and fifty years earlier brings encouragement from someone who had received encouragement in their suffering.[10]This example is how suffering brings unity to the church, and the church should avoid anything that seeks to undermine that unity.

[1] Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 57. [2] Christopher A. Hall, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers (Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 187. [3] Goodwin, The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth, 89. [4] 2 Corinthians 1:6, 7:9; 2 Timothy 1:8, 2:3 [5] Powlison, God’s Grace in Your Suffering, 84. [6] Tripp, Suffering, 201. This is not limited to Tripp but even in some secular psychologists. For further reading on this, see: de Castella and Simmonds, “‘There’s a Deeper Level of Meaning as to What Suffering’s All about’: Experiences of Religious and Spiritual Growth Following Trauma.”; de Caussade, “Abandonment to Divine Providence”; Murray, “Absolute Surrender”; Babler, Biblical Crisis Counseling; Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy; Owen, “Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded”; Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly; Powlison, God’s Grace in Your Suffering; Landman, “Healing the Wounded: The Psalms and Therapy”; Carson, How Long, O Lord?; Dickie, “Lament as a Contributor to the Healing of Trauma: An Application of Poetry in the Form of Biblical Lament”; Carlson, “Lament: The Biblical Language of Trauma”; Hall, Learning Theology with the Church Fathers; Wilson, “Pastoring Amidst Trauma and Resilience”; John Flavel, “Saint Indeed or the Great Work of a Christian in Keeping the Heart in the Several Conditions of Life,” accessed May 26, 2021, https://ccel.org/ccel/flavel/saintindeed/saintindeed; Tripp, Suffering; Thomas Watson, The Great Gain of Godliness: Practical Notes on Malachi 3:16-18 (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2006); Goodwin, The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth; Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering; Duncan, When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent. [7] Romans 5:1–5; 8:12–39; 1 Corinthians 12:12–31; 2 Corinthians 1:3–11, 15–2:11; 4:7–18; 6:1–10; 7:2–12; 8:1–7; 11:22–33; 12:7–10; Galatians 3:1–9; 4:8–20; 6:16–18; Ephesians 3:8–13; Philippians 1:19–30; 3:1–11; 4:10–20; Colossians 1:24–29; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–2:16; 3:1–10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12; 2 Timothy 1:8–12; 2:1–13; 3:10–4:5; Hebrews 2:5–18; 5:5–11; 9:23–28; 10:26–39; 11:23–12:11; 13:7–17; James 1:2–8, 12–18; 5:1–18; 1 Peter 1:3–12; 2:18–25; 3:13–4:6, 12–19; 5:5–11; Jude 5–11; Revelation 1:9–20; 2:8–11, 18–29; 6:3–11; 7:9–17; 9:1–12; 16:10–11; 18:1–8; 20:7–10; 21:1–8 [8] MacArthur, 1 Peter; Peter H. Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, 4. [Dr.], The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1998). [9] Powlison, God’s Grace in Your Suffering. [10] Powlison.

Trust in God through your suffering

Romans 5:2–5 (ESV)

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

the Biblical message is to trust in God through suffering.[1] There is a reality in how the Bible addresses suffering; it is raw, authentic, and transparent; there so accurate a depiction of suffering that Tripp states, “…the Bible is so honest about suffering that it recounts stories so weird and dark that if they were a Netflix video, you probably wouldn’t watch it.”[2] The Bible shows brutal honesty in people's suffering and forces people to embrace the existence of suffering, which is in stark contrast to the secular approach to trauma. Biblical honesty portrays people's suffering, but it does not advocate the quick removal of suffering. There is tension in showing the full impact of suffering and the beneficial effect of suffering.[3]

Secondary tension in the Biblical understanding of suffering is in the response of the sufferers and the timing of God. There are numerous cries in Scripture pleading for the removal and the relief from suffering, but there is a consistent reminder to wait upon the Lord. This reminder is not harsh but loving in acknowledging the pain of suffering. Tripp explains, “Scripture never looks down on the sufferer, it never mocks his pain, it never turns a deaf ear to his cries, and it never condemns him for his struggle.”[4] Instead, the message of suffering in Scripture is pointing to God and the hope of trusting in Him.[5]

[1] Here are a few versus that show the normative nature of suffering and the implicit trust in God through the suffering: Exodus 3:7, Numbers 14:33; Nehemiah 9:27; Job; Psalm 88, 116, 144,; Isaiah 24:6; Jeremiah 13:22; Lamentations; Ezekiel 34:29, 36:6, Acts 9:16, Romans 5:3, 8:18, 1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 1:5-6; Ephesians 3:13; Philippians 1:29, 3:10; Colossians 1:24; 1Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:3, 4:5; James 5:13; 1 Peter 2:19-20; 3:14-17; 4:13-19; 5:9; Revelation 2:10 [2] Tripp, Suffering, 23. [3] This will be further explained in a following section. [4] Tripp, Suffering, 23. [5] Andrew Murray, “Absolute Surrender,” n.d., https://ccel.org/ccel/murray/surrender/surrender?queryID=9740343&resultID=888; Brad Bigney, “Biblical Sorrow Without Sinful Complaining - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors,” Https://Biblicalcounseling.Com/ (blog), accessed June 10, 2021, https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/articles/biblical-sorrow-without-sinful-complaining/; Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy; Powlison, God’s Grace in Your Suffering; Dane Calvin Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020); Owen, “Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded”; Carson, How Long, O Lord?; Tripp, Suffering; Thomas Goodwin, The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth(Monergism Books, 2017); Duncan, When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent; Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering.

It is infinitely better to endure the wrath of man than the anger of God. If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, think how terrible it would be to suffer for unrighteousness. God is never portrayed in Scripture as a sentimental being. His strong and virile love led him to sacrifice his most precious possession, his Son. Whoever disobeys this gospel must face the eternal retribution that accompanies the rejection of divine love. Note that Peter doesn’t speak of “disbelieving” the gospel but of “disobeying” it. The gospel makes its demand on the will of man. It does not call for his opinion. The truth of the gospel is not at issue. People either reject the truth or obey the truth. They do not decide on its truthfulness.

Robert H. Mounce

Our response to suffering is to grow in our trust of God.

Suffering makes our faith more powerful, not weak.

1-2 Peter Our Faithful Creator

If God calls us to suffer, we have to commit our souls to Him, not as to a capricious, vengeful, tyrannical deity, but as to a faithful Creator. The hardest time to believe that God is faithful is when His hand is heavy on your back. Yet we are told that though we suffer—and the pain may be excruciating—it is only for a moment and not worthy to be compared with what God has prepared for us for eternity.

No scientific paradigm reaches the point of omniscience, of knowing what will take place tomorrow. We cannot judge the final goodness and power of God until we see the new heavens and the new earth, where pain is exiled, suffering is vanquished, and death is forever banished. We can trust God, because He is worthy of our trust. He is faithful, and trusting Him is the only answer that I know of to the reality of suffering in this world.