Today’s Encouragement is, “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” 1 Peter 3:17 NLT
What God Wants –
Note the word “If”! In His infinite goodness and wisdom, God may know that we need to suffer. There, I said it. I don’t like it, but it’s clear in the Bible. Jesus suffered unimaginably, Stephen was stoned, James was killed, and John was beheaded. The early Christians were tormented, tortured, and torn to pieces for the entertainment of pagans.
Suffering is real even in the Christian life. Today, millions of Christians are persecuted, tortured, and tormented by those who hate them. We will have trouble in our earthly lives. (John 16:33)
But there is a difference for us who believe! This world is not our home; the death of our bodies is not the end; we have eternal life!
Even when our suffering ends in an earthly death (if God wants), we are blessed! We enter into His blessings sooner than those who remain on earth and continue to battle sin and experience the troubles of this world.
This is an eternal perspective and cannot be understood by one with only an earthly view. Only with “eyes of faith” can we envision even a glimpse of eternity. Yet, my friend, this glimpse is far more real, tangible, and true than this earthly life’s most bitter pain and suffering.
Our Father God, we surrender to Your will for us, do with us as You choose. We trust that even if through suffering, You are working all things for our good. (Romans 8:28)
All Things
Covenant Worship
Today’s Encouragement 