I. Introduction
A. Suffering
1. Illustration: There is a girl in the UK who feels no pain, hunger, or fatigue. She has been dubbed the Bionic Girl. What sounds like a blessing at first is actually a curse. Once, at the age of seven, Olivia was hit by a car and dragged down the road a bit. She got up like nothing had happened. Her condition is caused by a genetic condition. She is believed to be the only person to have all three issues simultaneously.
2. Some of us might think that this little girl’s condition is a blessing, but it’s actually a curse. She has to take medication just to sleep because she never gets tired. She has to be reminded to eat all the time because she’s never hungry. She has to examine every square inch of her body every day to ensure she has not injured herself in some way because she can’t feel anything. What might seem like a blessing is actually a great hardship.
3. Jesus suffered, so if we’re going to truly follow Him, there is a good chance that we will experience hardship at some point in our walk with Him.
4. This morning, I would like to briefly examine how we can prepare ourselves for hardship as Christians.
B. Why do we suffer?
1. There are some basic reasons that we suffer.
a. Sin- Whether it is our own choices or the choices of others, sin can bring great suffering. (Romans 5:12)
b. Natural Order- God created this world to operate in a specific way and sometimes those natural elements do not work in our favor. (Matthew 5:45)
c. Discipleship- In our passage, Peter tells us that we should rejoice when we suffer for righteousness’ sake (1 Peter 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:12).
2. The fact is, we will suffer at some point in life. The Christian’s response to hardship and suffering is what Peter focuses on, which helps equip us.
II. Equipping Ourselves for Hardship
A. Christ
1. Whether things are bad or good, honor Christ with your .
a. The NKJV/KJV uses the word “sanctify,” and the NIV uses the word “revere” in verse 15.
b. The best way to face uncertainty is with . Certainty is found in God and His promises.
c. 1 Peter 1:6-7
d. 1 Peter 4:2, 16
2. Illustration: We often struggle with distorting the facts when uncertainty enters our lives. According to an article on Becks Cares Institute, “uncertainty can unlock a desire for control,” and so our minds start trying to cope. We catastrophize, fortune-tell, etc. Instead, we should restructure those thoughts to acknowledge truths, while also reminding ourselves who is ultimately in control. One of the best things we can do is be present in the present moment. Deal with what is in front of you in the moment, with what you can control, not what might be, because it might never be.
3. The best way to live with certainty in the middle of hardship is to seek, above all, to glorify God in each moment.
B. Prepare Your
1. While many of the hardships we face in life are surprises, it doesn’t mean we can’t ourselves to face them.
a. 1 Peter 1:13 …preparing your minds for action…
b. I’m not suggesting that you run through every worst-case scenario to prepare yourself for facing hardship. That would be downright depressing.
2. We must prepare our now with the things that will help us be ready, regardless of what we face. How? 1 Peter 5:6-11 provides direction.
a. yourself- keep yourself in check before God, repeating that His will is above yours
b. Cast your – regularly talk to God about helping you handle success and failure (Psalm 55:22)
c. Be and watchful- don’t fill your mind with junk
d. Resist the – here’s where the rubber meets the road…make a practice of saying no and ask for help when you need it
3. Illustration: When your moment comes to point people to God, it might be in a moment of hardship. If I found myself in a moment like Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail, how would I react? How have I reacted in similar moments in the past?
4. Remember, temptation is often worse when we are hungry, angry, lonely, and/or tired.
5. THE reason for your hope is JESUS!
C. Keep a Good
1. Equipping ourselves for hardship involves our minds and hearts to become more like Jesus.
a. The conscience is something that we train and maintain.
b. Mounce defines the Greek word for conscience, συνείδησις, as “the inward moral and spiritual frame.”
2. The word is qualified by the word “good” or “clear.” The idea is to maintain a good conscience.
a. 1 Peter 2:15-16, 21-25
b. It requires constant attention to develop the right framework for your conscience.
c. Illustration: This year, the great dress debate turned ten. The dress that went viral became an example of how the framework of our minds can change everything. The dress appeared differently because of how we see contrast in color and how our mind interprets it.
3. We should expect to experience hardship if we are for Christ as we should.
a. 1 Peter 4:12-14
b. Glenn Campbell is quoted as saying, “There’s no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.”
III. Conclusion
1. The reward for Enduring Hardship is that we RISE. (1 Peter 5:10)
a. – God is the greater healer of hearts hurt by hardship
b. – your wounds do not define you, God does- scars tell a story
c. – God will provide the strength
d. – God will become your anchor
2. When we trust in the Lord as we should, we can face anything.
C. Invitation
1. RISE is a promise and a process.
2. Do you need help facing hardship this morning?
3. Do you need to become a Christian this morning?