Endure Suffering

The fourth theme of 1 Peter 5.1-11 focuses on the reality of hardships, and the result of standing firm through the difficulties. 1 Peter 5.10 tells us to Endure Suffering.

Most of what follows I wrote as I was working on the first post for this verse. I was excited about what was flowing out of my finger tips, but as I wrote I realized that I was writing the final post to the this section. Having written the conclusion, some of the middle part seemed to be a bit difficult to write.

During the last three years I have been through one of the most difficult trials I can imagine. I spent nights on my face crying out to God, sometimes with literal tears, pleading for the restoration of my marriage. He didn't answer that prayer, but He took that time of unimaginable suffering and has used it to shape who I am and what I am doing. Suffering is part of life, but it is not the end.

Romans 8.18 states, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

This chapter goes on to state another promise for the one who suffers, a promise that I am seeing God fulfill in my own life.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8.28-30)

God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to the purpose of becoming like Christ. Everything that happens to us is a chance for us to become more like Jesus. Nothing is wasted if we are willing to continuously pursue God. I know this is hard, believe me, I've been through a long and brutal divorce. I prayed fervently with tears on multiple occasions for God to bring restoration. I fasted and poured into the Bible as I fought to save my marriage. Obviously, God did not answer my prayers, I dropped my daughters off with their mother Sunday evening, and drove home, but in spite of this, I will say that Romans 8 is completely true.

That experience sucked, in so many ways, but I am better off now than I ever was during the years of my marriage. I am closer to God now than I was at any point in the past, and I am more like Jesus now because of the experience I went through. God took a horrible situation, I believe the most detrimental to society, and through that process forged me. He gave me an identity, awakened my passion, and set me on the path to pursue my destiny.

Romans 8 concludes with these words, "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8.37-39)

In all suffering, even divorce, we are not separated from the love of God. In all suffering, even the destruction of a marriage, God is at work to mold us into the image of Christ. All suffering, no matter how intense or enduring it may be, will come to an end, and if you will allow God to work in your life, you will emerge stronger and more fit to serve, honor, and glorify Him.

I could have given up during the past three years. I could have started drinking and given myself to alcohol, but I didn't. I would have walked away from God, refusing to serve Him because He didn't save my marriage, but I didn't. I would have engaged in so many other destructive lifestyle choices, each one pulling me further from God and sacrificing the future, but thankfully I didn't. I had people who cared for me, who stood by me, and who helped me stay focused on God. I was able to endure suffering, and because of that, I've learned to trust God more. I've learned to dream bigger (which is saying something), and I've learned to live more in faith. My prayers have become bolder, my heart more compassionate, and my spirit more dependent.

The suffering I went through, as horrible as it was, is nothing compared to what I have experience God do, what I believe He is at work doing.The suffering I went through brought me closer to God, in ways that nothing else could have, and it has made me more like Jesus.

Whatever you are going through, endure. You can handle this, God is with you, and even if you don't sense Him, He is there and actively working to make you more like Jesus. He did in my life, and He is in yours. Endure suffering.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!