Part 6 The Holiness of Suffering – a Divine Purpose

Is suffering worth it?

The sixth and final part of this holiness series from 1st and 2nd Peter gives insight into how to respond to suffering.  Heather Moeckl McGee is sharing her testimony of surviving cancer and how her faith deepened.   As much as we try to avoid pain,  Peter helps us grasp the connection to deeper faith. as we rejoice THROUGH suffering,  follow the example of Jesus IN suffering,   and gain the favor and blessing of God FROM suffering.  

In the previous posts (linked), 

(Part 1) CAN I BE HOLY?   Peter’s example and writings affirm God chooses and equips us to be holy. 

(Part 2)  GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU TO BE HOLY  God gifts us, not only with an eternal inheritance but with an earthly promise of everything we need to live a godly life!  

 (Part 3)  GOD’S WORD IS ESSENTIAL TO HOLINESS  Peter inspires us to “crave” God’s love letter to resist sin and reflect God’s image.   Jesus, the Word, is on each page.   

(Part 4) HOLINESS – A CALL TO LOVE  Loving God cultivates the make-over of our inner person, developing a holy character that pleases and honors God.

(Part 5)  SUBMISSION IN HOLINESS  We are to submit to one another, “for the Lord’s sake.”

And, Part 6, Peter outlines these steps when suffering –  rejoice through suffering, follow the example of Jesus in suffering, and obtain the blessing and favor of God from suffering. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world, but He has overcome the world (John 16:33).  Suffering is temporary and only while on earth.  In heaven, there will be no more suffering,  sorrow, or crying. 

In human thinking, ease is a far better way to enjoy life.  I don’t like the difficult things that come.   But, I’ve discovered ease doesn’t grow spiritual maturity as much as suffering. Trials and pain squeeze out sin as it embraces authentic faith.

HEATHER MOECKL’S TESTIMONY

Heather Moeckl McGee has had a couple of years of enormous suffering and sorrow but shares with us her testimony of God’s faithfulness. 

I met Heather while traveling to Israel on a Chorale tour.  I, the choir accompanist for the North Central Chorale, and Heather, a singer in the Chorale, spent significant time together, even in the hospital when she was sick from food poisoning. Today Heather lives in Texas and is a breast cancer survivor.  May her story encourage you in your faith and through your suffering.  Only a portion of her testimony is in this post but the end of the document links to the full read.

The tears were unstoppable. December 5th of 2018, I received the diagnosis I had aggressive breast cancer!  I just had my fortieth birthday. How could I tell the kids? I was terrified and couldn’t communicate any hope to them. Every time I verbalized the statement “I have breast cancer,” I broke down in tears. 

Fear had taken hold of me. My greatest fear was for my kids, ages six and nine, to watch me die…slowly. I had to have six rounds of chemo, spaced out only three weeks apart.  I started begging to stop my treatment by my 4th round.  Each round I became increasingly ill and unable to tolerate the pain. My husband was my greatest cheerleader. He told me to hang in for the sake of our kids.  I’d love to tell you that I was a spiritual hero at that time, but I wasn’t. I had been reduced to a skeleton and was sick all the time!

Fear was still controlling me. I felt like I was going to die, and God wasn’t going to save me.  My greatest fear was leaving my kids. Then, at one of my lowest times, God spoke to me.  He said, “Do you trust Me?  I answered, “Yes, of course, I trust You!”  But He asked me again. Then He asked, “Don’t you think I am enough for your kids?”  “Don’t you think I will be able to heal their hearts, and don’t you think I love them more than you do?” 

Wow!  Who was I to think that God was not capable of taking care of my children and even better than I could?  The grip of fear had been so strong on me.  I cried out to Jesus to forgive me for my unbelief and to cast off fear.  I surrendered to God’s will, whatever that may be.  I truly got to the place I could say that it was okay if I was never healed of this cancer because I wanted God to be glorified in my life. 

It is a hard place for a mother to go, to have to face the reality of death, and to surrender her children. I had symbolically dedicated my children to the Lord as babies, but I had to walk that out now. It was so humbling and, at the same time, truly beautiful.  God was so close to me; I could feel His presence.  He had never left me; He was there the whole time, cradling me in His arms. The peace He gave me is indescribable.  He conquered my greatest fear. I was set free.   (Heather’s full is linked below). 

Suffering comes to each of us, whether cancer, broken marriages, loss of a loved one, financial pressures, persecution for your faith, or any number of things life brings our way.  We cannot separate suffering from faith.   Peter writes to rejoice through suffering because the outcome is holiness.

REJOICE THROUGH SUFFERING (I’m still working on this one)

According to Peter,  there is a divine purpose in suffering – deepening genuine, unshakeable faith.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6,7).

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13).

Knowing there is a purpose in suffering helps me trust “our faithful Creator” to work out all things for our good.  As I put my life in perspective with heaven and realize God is working to bring about healthier, genuine faith, then it’s easier to submit to the Lord and rejoice through the suffering. 

The best example we have for modeling a life of holiness is that of Jesus.  He is the focal point in how we should face suffering and trials. 

JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE 

Have the same attitude.  Though beaten, abused, and killed, Jesus gave his life willingly. His submission to suffering served a divine purpose as it overpowered sin and death forever.  And He is there to help us.  “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 1:21).

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin (1 Peter 4:1).

When I go through troubles, I seek God more earnestly.  Suffering gets my attention, and I examine myself, repent of sin, and turn more fully to God, no longer living earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God (1 Peter 4:2).

As David said, See if there be any offensive way in me and lead me, in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:24).     

Suffering puts our eyes on Jesus and our hearts on heaven.  Sin’s attraction isn’t so bright or tempting. Through the storms of life, faith anchors to the Rock of our salvation.  Character develops, and we gain God’s blessings.  

SUFFERING TURNS US TO GOD AND HIS BLESSINGS 

Suffering for Doing Good   

Peter tells his readers to be like-minded, sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessings, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9).

We are to keep our tongues from speaking evil and deceit. Do good, seek, and pursue peace.  Then, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their prayers. 

Peter continues, when non-believers speak maliciously against your good behavior, in your hearts “revere Christ as Lord” and share the gospel, with gentleness and respect.  Peter says, don’t be afraid of the bullies, “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” Look for the opportunity to share your faith in Jesus. 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil 1 Peter 3:15-17)

Jesus told the disciples to turn the other cheek, love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you.  Don’t respond to evil with evil, but with gentleness and kindness, so your faith is evident. God’s blessings follow.   

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed (1 Peter 3:14)

 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed  (1 Peter 4:14)

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name 1 Peter 4:15,16)

CONCLUSION

Is suffering worth it?  Hard things make faith and character stronger!   Heather developed a greater trust in God, not only for herself but for her family.  Though it’s hard, in light of eternity, suffering produces genuine unshakable faith.   Most importantly,  I am getting stronger inwardly.  As my wise son, Tom, once told me, “We haven’t suffered like Jesus since we haven’t sweat great drops of blood yet.” 

Rejoicing through suffering, becoming more like Jesus in suffering,  and gaining God’s favor and blessings from suffering is holiness at work.   

The hymn writer, Ira Stanphill, wrote it this way,  “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, one glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase; so gladly run the race till we see Christ.”

The promise of God’s exalting you and caring for you through suffering is sure. We can be diligent in the battle to live for God.  Resist the devil.  He will flee.  Don’t give up when it’s hard. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

Our suffering on earth will produce a pain-free eternity; whereas for the unbelievers, their suffering will have only begun.  God is calling us to holiness and is ready to help us! 

I hope you will take the time to read through Peter and let it encourage you in your journey of holiness. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Read Heather’s full testimony here.