19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (I Peter 2)
Suffering is never easy- be it physical pain, emotional abuse, or feeling rejected. Ask Jesus. He's been there. When we find ourselves in a stage (or even constant state) of suffering, like these readers did, we automatically ask "Why?" It's a fair question as long as we are honest in our answers. Are we suffering for sin or stupidity? That really should be the first possible answer (as it is mentioned first here.) We are, after all, sinners - either unregenerate or "saved by grace." It's a conversation worth having with God. But if it becomes clear that our suffering is not due to our specific sin or stupidity, the question then becomes a different one: "How am I to get through this?" First, the grace of God. Our suffering is an opportunity to experience His grace in a special way. Second is the way of Christ. He chose the way of suffering for us. He showed us how to respond to suffering - not by rebeling, reviling, or rejecting God, but willingly enduring the suffering to see the will of God accomplished. It is only then we can possibly see the "why."
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