Suffering: If You Must, Suffer For The Right Reason

It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:17

The cold rain drizzled into a mosaic of shallow puddles on the near-empty sidewalk. Menacing cars raced by oblivious to the few pe-destrians, each driver absorbed in his own little world. At this early hour, my associate quietly walked beside me down the slumbering street of this strange city while it yawned, and groaned, and stretched to begin another day.

My thoughts tumbled over each other as I pondered what mercy the lender we were walking to meet might show—or not show—me. It had been a foolish decision that I had made, to personally guarantee the loan repayment. Now the major tenant had gone under, and the loan payments could not be met.

Why couldn’t I have trusted God more and held firm? Why had I put up additional collateral? The building should have been sufficient to cover the lender’s risk. But that was all history now. I had done it on my own. It had been my plan from the very start. I trusted my own ability to make the project work, not God.

Sometimes we suffer at our own hand. Other times we suffer for no apparent reason, and we can’t put our finger on why: Lord, search me again. I can’t find anything in me which would cause me to deserve this anguish. What have I done to offend You? How have I failed You? Why do You let me languish in this crucible of bitter gall? Why won’t You rescue me from the hands of my adversaries? Please come to me, Lord, please come.

Shared Suffering

Usually when we suffer, it is for making the wrong choice, but not always. Jesus suffered for doing no wrong. The Lord Jesus never made a wrong choice, yet He was given the vocation of suffering. He did nothing to deserve His destiny.

Because Christ suffered we inherit His kingdom, but to get there we, too, must suffer. We must pass through the gate of sharing in His sufferings. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29). Are you surprised to find this passage in the Bible? Does it bother you?

In this age of easy believism, the concept of suffering for Christ seems like a vague abstraction. God assures us we will suffer. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). Persecutions come, illnesses strike, calamities overtake, and reverses trample.

In those moments we need a word from the Lord, a touch from the living God. Even when we suffer for doing wrong, we need His touch.

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer” (Revelation 2:10). You will undergo the test, so persevere in doing right, “For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God” (1 Peter 2:19).

The lender did not show me mercy. I died the agony of a thousand deaths. I suffered for doing wrong. My humiliation before Christ was complete. What devastated me most was not the business loss. What melted my spirit to wax was knowing that I wasn’t suffering for the cause of Christ, but for doing wrong. It led to a new level of commitment to obedience. When I suffer again, I pray it will be for right, not wrong. If I must suffer, I will at least suffer for the right reason. There is no glory in suffering for doing the wrong thing (see 1 Peter 2:20).

Are you suffering? Is it because you have done right? Or have you fooled yourself and trusted in your own ingenuity? Jesus wants to touch you. He has a word for you. Seek Him, and He will be found. He loves you with an everlasting love. Turn from the way of the world and abandon the plans born of selfish ambition. Do not become weary of suffering because you do good. He will personally care for you in His due time.

I SURRENDER

Lord Jesus, You suffered for doing right. I have suffered because I have done wrong. Revive me to the true gospel. Empower me by the Holy Spirit to abandon my selfish plans. When I suffer again, may it be for the glory of God, for doing good and not wrong. Amen.