1 Peter 4:12-13 - 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 inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
The apostle Peter probably would not have made a good pastor. One could just imagine him sitting in his office, feet up on his desk, when distraught parishioners keep coming in. "Peter! My husband is leaving me!" "My kid won't return my phone calls!" "My mother is in the hospital!" "I got laid off!" Peter probably wouldn't even take his feet off the desk. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place. Nothing strange is happening to you. Rejoice! You are sharing Christ's sufferings!"
Now this seems to be the worst kind of response to someone in pain. "Suffering? Relax! It's no surprise ... actually, you should be happy!" As insensitive as this sounds, don't let yourself think that Peter isn't following the example of God Himself.
Consider the crucifixion. When Jesus told the disciples that He was going to be arrested, tried, convicted, and executed. Peter said, "Never!" And Jesus' response was, "Get behind me, Satan." Remember, God works sub contrario - "under the opposite" - of where we think He will be. He worked in the crucifixion to save us. He worked in Peter's abandonment and deniel to restore him, and He works in our struggles and in our hurt to give us joy.
Jesus told His followers that in this life they will have struggles. "But," He said "take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). He didn't say that things would get better, although we wish He would (and sometimes things do). He simply said that He has overcome the world.
We suffer, but we never suffer alone. Jesus said that He came for the sick. The healthy have no need of Him. We never suffer alone. And our suffering, stinging though it may be, not only has an end, its end has already been assured. "The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ assured. "The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ ... will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10).
You never suffer alone!
--Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,