1 Peter 4: Hope in times of suffering

Major Alison Hudson considers the transformative effect of tough times.

Key text

• 1 Peter 4:12–5:11

I am told that, as I get older, I should undertake some resistance training to strengthen and protect myself. I think that in a spiritual sense this is also true – experiencing some resistance can help to build long-term resilience.

On the day I had set aside to prepare this short study, I was encouraged in my quiet time to look back on my life and notice any milestones – the highlights and also the low points, times of hope and also challenge.

I noticed that, especially in times of struggle, God transformed me in some way: times of bereavement, when I experienced God’s deepest peace and learnt of his provision; a time of illness, when I came to terms with my eternal future and again experienced God’s provision; a time of wilderness and then experiencing the welcome and love of God with the image of the prodigal son being welcomed home. These are personal situations and would have happened to me whether I was a Christian or not – except the last example. But what about suffering specifically for my life with Christ, which is what this passage is referring to?

I can think of tough times in ministry when I have experienced spiritual attacks from the people I least expected them from, when I was on the receiving end of harsh words, when I was left alone with a dangerous person or when I have been exhausted and at the end of my tether.

Pause and reflect

• Can you think of a time when you have suffered because of your life with Christ?

We’re not alone! In our study passage, Peter is writing to scattered Christians, who are undergoing persecution for their faith. The first thing he says to them is not to be surprised when it happens (see v12). Throughout history the people of God have been persecuted and, while we might not feel persecuted as such, we might feel that we are sometimes ridiculed or ignored or even hated. It is not strange when we are glorifying God through our lives to experience attacks from the Devil from all sides – even from within the Church. In fact, the absence of Satan’s opposition would be strange.

In our study passage we are told to rejoice. Why? It’s because we are suffering with Christ or in fellowship with him (see v13). Peter also tells us that we ‘are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you’ (v14). He then asks those who ‘suffer according to God’s will’ to ‘commit’ themselves to their ‘faithful Creator’ and to ‘continue to do good’ even when these difficult times come (v19). The word for ‘commit’ is a banking term meaning a deposit for safekeeping. When we deposit our lives with God, we have nothing to fear, for he is able to keep us. Our suffering isn’t replaced, rather it is transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit and this enables us to glorify God’s name.

Pause and reflect

• Think of when you have been through a time of suffering. Have you ever felt like rejoicing – with the benefit of hindsight – or that you have been in fellowship with God?

Note the word ‘fiery’ used in verse 12. This word conjures up the image of a refining process – a time of purifying, testing and transformation. Therefore, it might be simpler to ask whether you have been transformed, or if you have learnt a vital life lesson through some suffering you have experienced?

Following the advice to ‘continue doing good’ (v19), Peter offers guidelines in 1 Peter 5:6–11 on how we are to live. He advises: ‘Humble yourselves’ (v6).

It is quite a humbling thing to realise that the world doesn’t revolve around what we do or don’t do, that God’s mission will continue with or without us! Of course, God wants us to join in his mission. However, when suffering comes, we should be humble enough to admit that we’re struggling, to lay it down and let God take our burdens – to ‘cast all your anxiety on him’ (v7).

It is releasing to know that we’ve taken a situation to God in prayer and that this is the best thing we can do. It might also be appropriate to be humble enough to ask for help or to talk things through with a trusted friend or mentor.

‘Be alert!’ (v8). Recognise that we have an Enemy and resist him. It might be easier said than done, but I have discovered that it does help to fill my mind with good things if the Enemy is trying to pull me down. (See also Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6–9.) To put things into perspective, it helps to remember the hope we have, the love that is ours, our worth and status in Christ and all the blessings that are ours in Christ.

Pause and reflect

• Think of some examples of contrast between the lies of the Devil and the promises of God.

If the Devil says you are worthless, proclaim that God says ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14).

If the Devil says you can’t handle this, remember God promises that ‘my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).

These contrasts naturally lead us into verses 10 and 11, as they offer a message of hope – we have God’s grace, our present suffering is only for a little while and we have an eternal future.

Pause and reflect

• Meditate on 1 Peter 5:10 and 11, and allow these truths to sink into your soul.