"But when you do good and suffer,
if you take it patiently, this is commendable to God."
1 Peter 2:20
Dr. Edward Judson spoke years ago at the dedication of a church in New York City. He said, "Suffering and success go together. If you are succeeding without suffering, it is because others before you have suffered. If you are suffering without succeeding, it is that others after you may succeed." Those words require serious contemplation and application for our lives. None of us want to suffer. However, when we must suffer, we need to look past it to the good which will come.
An expecting mother feels the pain of travail as she labors before the birth of her baby. The pain can be unbearable at times, but after her suffering is finished, she can cuddle her newborn child with love. Past the suffering, she knows the joy of new life in her child. At the time of suffering and pain in this life, we seldom find it within us to think about the good that will come forth. Looking back, we may be able to see how God is even able to bring good out of suffering.
The apostle Peter wrote to Christians who were suffering for their faith. He spoke of taking it patiently. Easier said than done. However, patience is another fruit of the Spirit of Christ working within us. We discover more about ourselves during times of suffering more than any other time. When we look past the suffering, we can see what God has done in our lives for good. Christ suffered terrible pain on the cross. He was able to look past it to see the Father's love offered to a sinful world. Isaiah prophesied, "He shall see the labor of His soul and be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11).
Father, give us grace to look past our suffering to see Your goodness in Christ.
