1) We are called to suffer with and for the Lord. " Then Jesus said to his disciples, " If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." (Matthew 16:24-27) –“For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footstep.” (1 Peter 2:21 Amp.) –“ I gave up all that inferior stuff (legalistic righteousness) so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.”(Phil. 3:10 – The Message) –“[Even] now I (Paul) rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed on our part of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” ( Col. 1:24 Amp.) Jesus’ death was not insufficient and thus needs our suffering for the salvation of others but we may serve God’s church (people) through suffering in ways that the Lord calls us to. Paul suffered greatly in his efforts to serve God’s people. (See 2 Cor. 11:23-33)
2) Suffering turns us to God. –“Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119: 67, 71) –“Without a growing sense of desperation, we will not maintain our focus on God. The Lord lovingly uses trials and adversities in a variety of creative ways in our lives, and part of the purpose of our suffering is to drive us to dependence on Him alone. As God’s children, our pain causes us to ask, to seek, and to knock (Matthew 7:7-8) and, in His time, God responds by revealing more of Himself to us. This personal knowledge increases our faith and our capacity to trust His character and His promises. Only as we experientially realize that we cannot survive without God will we willingly submit to His purposes in the midst of affliction.” (Ken Boa) –“Even the beasts of the field pant for You; For the water brooks are dried up and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.” (Joel 1:20) "The king (Nebuchadnezzar) reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ "But at the end of that period, (i.e., after God’s severe discipline) I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever.” (See Daniel 4:29-34)
3) Suffering delivers us from false joys and deceitful prosperity and refocuses our hope. –“ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” ( Romans 5:3-5) Studies show that after our needs are met excess money actually causes us to be less happy (if we handle it unbiblically) because we are tempted to go after things which promise happiness but don’t deliver and miss the things that do bring happiness (close relationships with God and man) in our wrong pursuits. Thus tribulation plays a significant role in clarifying hope (because it can force us to see the bigger picture.) Who or what are you hoping in? And what are you hoping for? "Some people have no hope because they believe that life is meaningless. Others have an illegitimate hope, trusting in the promises (lies) of this world. They may be "circumstantially" happy but blind to ultimate reality — death and judgment, not realizing that all our actions (or inactions) have eternal consequences for believers (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) as well as unbelievers. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15) Some Christians have a divided hope (double-minded), believing in heaven but not truly believing and obeying Jesus’ words on how to live now in this life. As Solomon taught us everything in life is empty and meaningless unless it is done for God and His glory. (Eccl. 1:14) Others have a legitimate and Biblical hope as they live each day in light of eternity and the promises of eternal blessings and rewards for sacrificial obedience in this life. (Hebrews 11:24-26) A Biblical hope does not negate hoping for and praying for temporal blessings. But if we hope in temporal blessings more than in God, Who alone ultimately knows what is best for us and Who alone is in control of our lives, then we become idolaters." (From Walt Henrichsen’s Diary of a Desperate Man)
4) Suffering prunes, purges and purifies our faith which has eternal value and is more precious than gold (temporal blessings). –“In this you greatly rejoice, (i.e., in the promises of eternal blessings) though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7) Don’t waste your suffering. For a Christian all suffering can be converted to –“an eternal weight of glory” (Christ- like character) as (if) we focus on the eternal and invisible (spiritual and eternal blessings for our faith) and not focus on the seen and temporary (i.e. the trials, the pain, the loss, etc.) –“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) This does not mean we ignore the pain. We process the pain with the Lord in prayer as Job and the psalmists did (even Jesus — Hebrews 5:7) and pray through back to trusting Him even in the midst of the pain. God reminds us that our afflictions will not endure forever and that the pain is working for our good as we live by faith and stay faithful to the Lord in the trials. In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis argues that God allows pain in our lives not because He loves us less, but because He loves us more than we would wish. Through suffering God the great Vinedresser prunes away dead branches (dead works — activities that have no eternal value). (John 15:1-5) The sap that is diluted by too many branches (activities, busyness) brings forth very little fruit. (See Hebrews 12:5-11)
5) God comforts us in our afflictions and teaches us to comfort others with His comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) Trials and suffering help us learn compassion for others as we experience God’s compassion both directly through His Presence in our trial and through the people He raises up to extend His compassion. Also as Paul admits later suffering keeps us from being conceited and wrongly judging others for being weak or emotional, etc. And it drives us to Christ to find His strength and then He gets all the glory for any good we do. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) This is what Robert Lewis calls the paradox principle – death (to self) brings life both to us and those we comfort. (See 2 Cor. 4:7-12)
6) Yet in suffering and trials we must remember both 1) God’s immanent Presence and sympathy. (Isaiah 43:1-3) Jesus wept over Lazarus and over His own people who had missed seeing Him as Messiah in His visitation. (Matt. 23:37; Luke 19:44) Thus we know He sympathizes and weeps with us in our trials. (Psalm 34:18; Hebrews 4:14-16)
and 7) His transcendent Holiness. (Job 38-41) At times God’s ways are past finding out (Isaiah 55:8-9) and He does what He pleases. (Psalm 115:3). And in the dark times we are to worship and obey Him by faith because He is God Almighty and deserves our awe and reverence. And we know from the whole counsel of Scripture that He is perfectly just, all wise and all —loving. We must let the cross be the backdrop of every trial we go through for there we see His passionate love. ( Rom. 8:28; 32)
Until the Lord returns, we will continue to learn and grow –“more” through setbacks and failures than through success as the world defines it f or our faith can only mature with trials. Yes we need other things too to mature our faith but trials are indispensable and something we would never choose on our own. (James 1:2-5) Listen to the observations of a man who had enjoyed an eminently successful career in the eyes of his peers:
–“Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-five years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained.” —Malcolm Muggeridge
Recommended Book: A Grace Disguised by Gerald Sittser
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD
Which of the six points spoke to you and why?
What Scripture or perspective from Scripture did you hear that was helpful in dealing with your present trials/suffering?
Grief is always unique to each person and we must be careful less we become –“Job’s counselors” who talk more about doctrine (and wrongly at that) than share Job’s pain. What is one of the most painful experiences you have been through that God used to reveal more of Himself to you and helped you grow to be more like Jesus?
It is in doing God’s Word, not in just hearing it, that we are blessed. What action will you take to apply these truths to your life? –“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22-25)
Scripture memory verse: –“ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Scriptures related to suffering:
- Matthew 5:5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous– with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!
Matthew 5:4-6 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) - Matthew 16:21
From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised from death.
Matthew 16:20-22 (in Context) Matthew 16 (Whole Chapter) - Matthew 17:12
But I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know or recognize him, but did to him as they liked. So also the Son of Man is going to be treated and suffer at their hands.
Matthew 17:11-13 (in Context) Matthew 17 (Whole Chapter) - Matthew 24:9
Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
Matthew 24:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 24 (Whole Chapter) - Luke 22:15
And He said to them, I have earnestly and intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
Luke 22:14-16 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter) - Luke 24:26
Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?
Luke 24:25-27 (in Context) Luke 24 (Whole Chapter) - Acts 5:41
So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name.
Acts 5:40-42 (in Context) Acts 5 (Whole Chapter) - Acts 9:13
But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;
Acts 9:12-14 (in Context) Acts 9 (Whole Chapter) - Acts 9:16
For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s sake.
Acts 9:15-17 (in Context) Acts 9 (Whole Chapter) - Acts 20:23
Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.
Acts 20:22-24 (in Context) Acts 20 (Whole Chapter) - Romans 5:3
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
Romans 5:2-4 (in Context) Romans 5 (Whole Chapter) - Romans 8:17
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
Romans 8:16-18 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter) - Romans 8:18
[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!
Romans 8:17-19 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter) - Romans 12:12
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:11-13 (in Context) Romans 12 (Whole Chapter) - Romans 16:2
That you may receive her in the Lord [with a Christian welcome], as saints (God’s people) ought to receive one another. And help her in whatever matter she may require assistance from you, for she has been a helper of many including myself [shielding us from suffering].
Romans 16:1-3 (in Context) Romans 16 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Corinthians 6:7
Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong and be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?
1 Corinthians 6:6-8 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 6 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Corinthians 12:26
And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 12 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as Christ’s [ own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us.
2 Corinthians 1:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 1:6
But if we are troubled (afflicted and distressed), it is for your comfort (consolation and encouragement) and [for your] salvation; and if we are comforted (consoled and encouraged), it is for your comfort (consolation and encouragement), which works [in you] when you patiently endure the same evils (misfortunes and calamities) that we also suffer and undergo.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 1:7
And our hope for you [our joyful and confident expectation of good for you] is ever unwavering (assured and unshaken); for we know that just as you share and are partners in [our] sufferings and calamities, you also share and are partners in [our] comfort (consolation and encouragement).
2 Corinthians 1:6-8 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 4 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 4:10
Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [ resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:9-11 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 4 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 6:4
But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities,
2 Corinthians 6:3-5 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 6 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Corinthians 6:9
[We are treated] as unknown and ignored [by the world], and [yet we are] well-known and recognized [by God and His people]; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed;
2 Corinthians 6:8-10 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 6 (Whole Chapter) - Galatians 4:19
My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently formed (molded) within you,
Galatians 4:18-20 (in Context) Galatians 4 (Whole Chapter) - Galatians 5:11
But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block and is made meaningless (done away).
Galatians 5:10-12 (in Context) Galatians 5 (Whole Chapter) - Ephesians 3:13
So I ask you not to lose heart [not to faint or become despondent through fear] at what I am suffering in your behalf. [Rather glory in it] for it is an honor to you.
Ephesians 3:12-14 (in Context) Ephesians 3 (Whole Chapter) - Philippians 1:29
For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.
Philippians 1:28-30 (in Context) Philippians 1 (Whole Chapter) - Philippians 3:10
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [ which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
Philippians 3:9-11 (in Context) Philippians 3 (Whole Chapter) - Colossians 1:24
[Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [ on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
Colossians 1:23-25 (in Context) Colossians 1 (Whole Chapter) - Colossians 3:12
Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
Colossians 3:11-13 (in Context) Colossians 3 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Thessalonians 2:2
But though we had already suffered and been outrageously treated at Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned courage to proclaim to you unfalteringly the good news (the Gospel) with earnest contention and much conflict and great opposition.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 2 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies (churches) of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea, for you too have suffered the same kind of treatment from your own fellow countrymen as they did [who were persecuted at the hands] of the Jews,
1 Thessalonians 2:13-15 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 2 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Thessalonians 3:4
For even when we were with you, [you know] we warned you plainly beforehand that we were to be pressed with difficulties and made to suffer affliction, just as to your own knowledge it has [since] happened.
1 Thessalonians 3:3-5 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 3 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Thessalonians 1:5
This is positive proof of the just and right judgment of God to the end that you may be deemed deserving of His kingdom [a plain token of His fair verdict which designs that you should be made and counted worthy of the kingdom of God], for the sake of which you are also suffering.
2 Thessalonians 1:4-6 (in Context) 2 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Thessalonians 1:7
And to [ recompense] you who are so distressed and afflicted [by granting you] relief and rest along with us [your fellow sufferers] when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire,
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (in Context) 2 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Timothy 4:10
With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him).
1 Timothy 4:9-11 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 1:8
Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [ with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:7-9 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter - 2 Timothy 1:12
And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day.
2 Timothy 1:11-13 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 2:3
Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:2-4 (in Context) 2 Timothy 2 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 2:9
For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!
2 Timothy 2:8-10 (in Context) 2 Timothy 2 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.
2 Timothy 2:23-25 (in Context) 2 Timothy 2 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 3:11
Persecutions, sufferings–such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2 Timothy 3:10-12 (in Context) 2 Timothy 3 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].
2 Timothy 3:11-13 (in Context) 2 Timothy 3 (Whole Chapter) - 2 Timothy 4:5
As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:4-6 (in Context) 2 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 2:10
For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.
Hebrews 2:9-11 (in Context) Hebrews 2 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 2:18
For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].
Hebrews 2:17-19 (in Context) Hebrews 2 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered
Hebrews 5:7-9 (in Context) Hebrews 5 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 10:34
For you did sympathize and suffer along with those who were imprisoned, and you bore cheerfully the plundering of your belongings and the confiscation of your property, in the knowledge and consciousness that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession.
Hebrews 10:33-35 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 11:25
Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.
Hebrews 11:24-26 (in Context) Hebrews 11 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 11:36
Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment.
Hebrews 11:35-37 (in Context) Hebrews 11 (Whole Chapter) - Hebrews 13:3
Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings.
Hebrews 13:2-4 (in Context) Hebrews 13 (Whole Chapter) - James 5:10
[As] an example of suffering and ill-treatment together with patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers].
James 5:9-11 (in Context) James 5 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 1:6
[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations,
1 Peter 1:5-7 1 Peter 1:5-7 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 2:19
For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.
1 Peter 2:18-20 (in Context) 1 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 2:20
[After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.
1 Peter 2:19-21 (in Context) 1 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 2:21
For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.
1 Peter 2:20-22 (in Context) 1 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 2:23
When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.
1 Peter 2:22-24 (in Context) 1 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter - 1 Peter 3:14
But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition].
1 Peter 3:13-15 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 3:17
For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.
1 Peter 3:16-18 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 4:1
SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
1 Peter 4:1-3 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 4:13
But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
1 Peter 4:12-14 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 4:14
If you are censured and suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you–happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
1 Peter 4:13-15 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 4:16
But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name.
1 Peter 4:15-17 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 4:19
Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God’s will must do right and commit their souls [in charge as a deposit] to the One Who created [them] and will never fail [them].
1 Peter 4:18-20 (in Context) 1 Peter 4 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 5:9
Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset–rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ( identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:8-10 (in Context) 1 Peter 5 (Whole Chapter) - 1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:9-11 (in Context) 1 Peter 5 (Whole Chapter) - Revelation 2:10
Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:9-11 (in Context) Revelation 2 (Whole Chapter)