"WHEN YOU SUFFER!"
Written and preached by David P. Nolte

1 PETER 5:6-10

1. REMEMBER THAT SUFFERING IS UNIVERSAL: V9:
1. We are not unique in our suffering; we are not exempt from suffering; we are not alone in our suffering; we have not been singled out for suffering. One of the common experiences of mankind, rich or poor, young or old, educated or ignorant, good or bad is suffering. Peter wrote: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV).
2. Some of God's most faithful servants have been those who suffered most intensely:
1. Paul the Apostle whose life was fully given to serving God suffered. He wrote in response to his critics: "Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NIV).
2. Paul warned others of imminent suffering: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV).
3. Jesus Christ Himself was not spared suffering: "And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:44 (NIV).
3. Let me speak the truth in love; please hear velvet, not sandpaper in my voice: Who do we think we are to imagine that we ought to be spared suffering, sorrow, pain or grief? Why do we imagine that somehow our way ought to be so hedged in and protected that we never experience any hardship or inconvenience or difficulty? We will not escape suffering, so we might as well learn to endure it, to grow through it, and to glorify God in it. Suffering is universal and we will have our share.
4. A elderly Chinese philosopher was approached by a young woman who was grief stricken because of the loss of her only son. "I will be able to help you," he assured her, "if you will bring me some mustard seed; but it must be obtained at a home where there has never been any sorrow." Eagerly the woman started on her quest. In every place she visited, however, there had been trials and losses and sorrow. After a day or so of seeking, she returned to the philosopher and said, "How selfish I have been in my grief. I see now that great sorrow is common to all." She had learned a lesson and acquired wisdom that eased her grief and prepared her to sympathize with others. Suffering is universal.

2. REMEMBER THAT SUFFERING IS TEMPORARY: V10:
1. "A little while." That's sort of relative, isn't it? I mean, compared to a life-time, 10 years is a "little while." This is an unspecified time to be sure. But it leaves light at the end of the tunnel; it means that suffering will have an end; it shows that a better day is approaching.
2. These are wonderful words that point to hope:
1. "For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5 (NIV).
2. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Psalms 126:5-6 (NIV).
3. Hear this and believe it: Suffering is not the final word for the believer in Jesus; tears are not the ultimate experience; the day of pain and sorrow will end and the dawn of joy will burst forth! You can say in the hardest of moments: "This, too, shall pass!"
4. I have a brown thumb. I can kill a plastic plant. But I understand that capable gardeners sometimes deprive a rose of light and moisture for just a limited time to bring it to richer flowering. Mrs. H. B. Stowe says, "After being in the dark for awhile, the green parts begin to wither as though the bush were about to die. But when every faded leaf has dropped and the plant stands almost completely stripped, a new life is working in the buds. Eventually, because of these temporary limitations there will spring forth a new, tender foliage and a brighter wealth of flowers. So, too, in the life of the Christian the Heavenly Gardener often allows almost every vestige of earthly joy to disappear before He permits new blooms of grace to visit the soul." The poet said: "Is it raining, little flower? Be glad of rain. The sun that veils itself from you will shine again. The clouds are very black, 'tis true; but just behind them shines the blue. Are you weary, tender heart? Be glad of pain. In sorrow, sweetest things will grow as flowers in the rain. God watches and you will have sun, when clouds their perfect work have done." Suffering is temporary.

3. REMEMBER THAT SUFFERING WILL BE RELIEVED BY GOD'S COMFORT: V10:
1. Note: God Himself will "perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." I pity those who exclude God; either they blame Him and shut Him out, or they just don't know how to trust Him and are therefore compelled to face hard times on their own. But though He has never promised to spare us suffering, He has promised to be with us in and through it! If we let Him, He will comfort, sustain, help, strengthen and deliver us.
2. There are two promises of which I want to remind you. One relates to this life, one to the life to come.
1. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV).
2. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV).
3. God is the Father of mercies; the God of all comfort! He notices every tear and promises to wipe them away! Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. Our hope is not for nirvana; not for an endless cycle of reincarnations; not ultimate annihilation: it is eternal life, hope, comfort and peace in the presence of the Father. And in the meanwhile: comfort, and strength in the here and now.
4. Thyra Bjorn told the story of accompanying her pastor father one evening to the shack of Hank, a poverty-stricken old man. He was crippled with age and pain, yet he offered them warm hospitality. After the visit, they prayed together and the old man's face shone with joy and peace. He thanked God for His providence: his home, his bed, his food, and his visitors. Thyra and her father departed. She asked how Hank could be so cheerful in his poor surroundings.  As they neared home they could see the light in the window of their own home in the valley below. Father pointed it out to his daughter and told her that Hank had seen the light in the Heavenly Father's house and knew that he soon would be home. The old man knew that beyond his earthly sufferings there was no more sickness or pain or loneliness or poverty. The light of Heaven eased his pain; the comfort of the Father brought him joy.

Perhaps you are suffering as I speak. Perhaps your faith is shaken by it. Perhaps you fell that God doesn't love you. Perhaps you feel that your pain will never end. Perhaps you feel that your suffering is some sort of punishment.  If you are suffering for some sin, God will make that clear to you - it is a call to repentance and forgiveness. If you are suffering for some folly - yours or that of someone else, give it to God for resolution. If you are suffering as do all people, trust God to make it meaningful suffering. In any case, agree with Paul: "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV). Suffering will come! But let your faith give you the victory. Tribulations will abound, but be of good courage, Jesus has overcome. He will see you through. Commit your life to Him who is able to save you.  Come to Jesus.  He said, "Whoever comes to me I will in no wise cast out."  He invites you; He calls you; he waits for you.  In your suffering, in your grief, in your pain, He is a Helper!  Come to Him.  Out of your darkness, out of your defeat, out of your despair, come to Jesus. Come to Him.  Come now as we sing.

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