Title
How To Take Suffering
Scripture
For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
(1 Peter 2:20)
Devotional
God never promised that life would be fair. However, He did promise us the availability of peace and joy in any situation. Now, anyone can have peace and joy in the good times of life. It is when things get tough that the charter of our peace and joy is measured. When you are really up against it and you endure with godly patience, God is glorified; and when God is glorified He will edify His people. This is God’s sequence. God must be first. When He is, even in the hard times, He will in turn bless our patient obedience. Therefore, if you find yourself suffering for your own foolishness, simply repent and do it right. If you find yourself suffering for the good that you are doing, do as James instructs, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”