A Strategy for Suffering

Pray

1 Peter 5:6–10 NKJV

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Beloved, I pray that after the message we heard last week

we've come to grips with the undeniable reality

that in the life of a Christian,

suffering is not just a possibility; it is a certainty."

It doesn't matter how fervently you follow your faith,

how deeply you immerse yourself in prayer and worship,

or how much you contribute to your community and church –

suffering is a part of the Christian journey.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once stated that "Suffering is the badge of true discipleship."

This statement cuts right to the core of what it means to be called a "disciple."

It implies that one who truly identifies as a disciple of Jesus Christ has encountered suffering on their journey.

This suffering is in fact, a testament to the depth of one's commitment

and the authenticity of their discipleship.

Charles Swindoll once stated that: “Many crumble at the mere thought of another pain or a trial, but others rise to the occasion.”

Suffering takes on many forms, and it manifests differently in the lives of those who follow the path of discipleship.

It is in this book 1 Peter, that Peter addresses Christians in a northern Asia Minor who were facing severe persecution because of their faith.

It was Peter’s hope that they would understand the inevitability of opposition.

In fact, he says we should not be surprised when opposition arises

because Jesus also faced persecution.

And it was Peters job to help them understand that suffering is apart of walking with Jesus Christ

So Peter then provides tools and/ or strategies, to help them navigate their persecutions or sufferings.

It is my hope that with the strategies that we learn from Peter today,

We would “rise to the occasion” of suffering rather than crumbling at the mere thought.

and so the questions arises,

What must we do, when suffering comes?

Peter says we must first,

1. Remain HUMBLE

in verses 6-7, Peter says “1 Peter 5:6-7

1 Peter 5:6–7 (NKJV)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Peter tells the church, that when opposition arises, to remain humble.

Now of all the people who would say this, we hear this from Peter.

This is the same Peter that when opposition arose with his leader, he took out his sword and chopped the man’s ear off.

This is also the same that when people were asking if he’s the guy that’s been walking with Jesus,

he cursed them out.

Peter and opposition didn’t get along,

but he tells us that a strategy for suffering is to remain HUMBLE?

How is it Peter that you tell us to remain humble?

Peter tells us to remain humble because

When Peter followed Jesus he thought that Jesus would lead Israel to victory over the roman empire.

But when the Jesus went to the cross, his dreams were shattered.

But on the third day, what once looked like a set back, was a set up, for a comeback.

And if Jesus acts like the old Peter would have liked him to,

we would not be able to see the glory in the resurrection.

Now this Humility is not just about arrogance in our attitude. But this humility is about our attitude in our suffering.

One author wrote that Humility is

Consciousness of our own inability to do anything apart from God.

in other words Peter says, when you suffer, don’t take matters into your own hands.

How many times have we seen suffering on the horizon, just to take matters into our own hands?

How many times have we tried to respond with our flesh and not with out faith?

How many times try and did we do things our way in hopes to get ourselves out of our suffering?

Peter say BE HUMBLE!!!!

Don’t try and do it yourselves!!!

cast your cares unto him

dont try and carry the weight by yourself

Be humble enough to cast your cares unto God.

BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU!!!!

BE HUMBLE

GOD DOESN’T

Humility in suffering, is taking matters out of your hands and putting them in God’s hands

Humility in suffering, is deleting that facebook post trying to defend yourself when they talk about you.

Humility in suffering, is not clapping back on your manager when they get sideways with you.

Humility in suffering, is trusting that God will take care of what you can’t.

See Peter tells us to remain Humble,

because Peter understands that God’s hand only shows up for people who rely solely on HIM.

He tells them to remain HUMBLE.

but then Peter tells them to

2. Remain Watchful

in verse 8, Peter tells them

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Peter is emphasizing the importance of staying alert and vigilant in the face of spiritual threats

He vividly paints a picture of our adversary, the devil, as a prowling lion – This image,

is an image that should grip our attention

stir a sense of urgency.

Peter tells them to

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN,

KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVVLE

or in the words of Pastor, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND YOUR CHIN DOWN.

Charles Stanley says that “We must never forget that we are in a spiritual war with an enemy who is actively looking for a weakness”

and the truth is, The devil is not passive; he actively seeks to exploit any opening he can find.

He's ready to throw us off our spiritual game,

and our only defense to the devil’s tricks,

is spiritual vigilance.

Be watchful, because the devil does not take off.

Be watchful, at work,

Be watchful, in your home,

Be watchful, with your family,

Be watchful, at the next homecoming tailgate,

Be watchful in team meetings

Be watchful, on social media

Be watchful, in the class room

Be watchful at rehearsal

Be watchful, when things go good

Be watchful, when things aren’t so good.

Do not give the enemy any room to enter into your life.

Now let me be clear,

Your Vigilance doesn’t stop the attack of the enemy.

but Your vigilance stop the attack of the enemy from overcoming you

So we must remain watchful, so that the enemy doesn’t get the upper hand.

He says

Remain Humble

Remain Watchful

But then he says

3. Remain Faithful

1 Peter 5:9 ESV

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Peter tells us to resist the enemy, remaining steadfast and unwavering in our faith.

This resistance is not just passive endurance;

it's a proactive stance against the schemes and temptations of the adversary.

Because The enemy's tactics are often most intense when we are at our weakest,

But It’s at our weakest moments that we can be our strongest. The enemy's primary goal is to catch you at your most vulnerable moments, when doubt, fear, and weariness creep in.

He seeks to use those moments of weakness to shake our faith and lead you us from God. Even Jesus, was not exempt from the temptations of the enemy.

After fasting for 40 days and 40nights, when His physical strength was at its lowest point, the devil approached Him with temptations.

The devil tempted Jesus by telling Him to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger.

This was not just about food; it was a challenge to His identity and authority as the Son of God.

and Jesus gives the perfect example of what it means to be firm in faith.

He said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Jesus Uses this moment to teach us what it looks like to be faithful, even at your weakest

see it’s easy to be faithful when you are not being attacked,

but it’s hard to be faithful when the attacks start to come.

It’s easy to be faithful when money is good,

but it’s hard to be faithful when money is funny,

It’s easy to be faithful when everyone on the team is happy,

but it’s hard to be faithful when arguments and strife arises,

It’s easy to be faithful when it seams as if you’re on top,

but it’s hard to be faithful when you’re in the valley.

It’s easy to be faithful when checks are clearing.

It’s easy to be faithful when the lightbill isn’t due

It’s easy to be faithful when you got gas in the car

It’s easy to be faithful when things are fruitful,

but can you be faithful when things are frugle

Faithful- playing the organ every Sunday.

Faithful- preaching to empty chairs

Faithful- still serving when it seems as if you’re overlooked

Faithful- singing by yourself

Faithful-Serving by yourself

Faithful-the first one present and the last one leaving.

Faithful-Still praying even when it seems as nothing is changing

Faithful-Still serving even when it seems you’re over looked

and It's in these moments of testing that our faith can shine the brightest.

Because faithfulness is not tested in satisfaction

Faithfulness is tested in SUFFERING.

It’s easy to be faithful in when the church is packed.

and Peter says, THAT FAITHFULNESS IS A STRATEGY THAT CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SUFFERING.

Peter gives strategy,

He says Remain Humble, Remain Watchful, and remain faithful,

but lastly Peter gives them a reason to

4. Remain HOPEFUL

He says, you will suffer, because suffering is inevitable.

but although suffering is inevitable,

You should still have hope.

He says “But the God of ALL GRACE.

I KNOW YOU’RE SUFFERING

BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

I KNOW YOU’VE HAD SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE

I KNOW YOU HAVE PAIN IN YOUR BODY

BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE.

NOT THE GOD OF SOME GRACE, THE GOD OF LITTLE GRACE,

BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE, WHO HAS CALLED US TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY,

WHAT GLORY IS THIS?

ONE WRITER SAID

It’s the glory of purified character.

 It’s the glory of perfected humanity.

It’s the glory of complete victory.

It’s the glory of being honored by a King.

It’s the glory of reflecting the glory of God.

· It is the glory of the immediate, constant presence of God.

· It is the glory of the enjoyment of God Himself.

So where is the hope from this

Although suffering is inevitable.

AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE,

YOU’VE BEEN HUMBLE, WATCHFUL, AND FAITHFUL- After you’ve suffered a little while

YOU’VE HAD SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, AFTER YOU SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE

YOU’VE CRIED YOURSELF TO SLEEP TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME, AFTER YOU SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE

PETER SAYS YOU SHOULD BE HOPEFUL BECAUSE,

AFTER YOU’VE SUFFERED A LITTLE WHILE.

I LIKE THE CSB VERSION

1 Peter 5:10 (CSB)

10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.

BECAUSE AFTER YOU’VE SUFFERED,

1. HE’S GONE RESTORE YOU

2. HE’S GONE ESTABLISH YOU

3. HE’S GONE STRENGTHEN YOU

4. AND HE’S GONE SUPPORT YOU

HE’S GONE RESTORE YOU-

HE’S GONE ESTABLISH YOU

HE’S GONE STRENGTHEN YOU

HE’S GONE SUPPORT YOU

I’M SUFFERING

BUT I’M HOPEFUL

I’M SUFFERING

BUT I’M HOPEFUL