And in 1 Peter 4, he encouraged his fellow believers to do the same:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice a insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed….Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
So when that test or trial comes and we are tempted to envy—“don’t be surprised!” Peter says, “It’s not as if something strange were happening to you!”
But instead (and talk about “strange” in the eyes of the world!): “Rejoice!”
Peter’s take on suffering? All joy. Joy now, because we have the privilege to share in Christ’s sufferings. And even more joy later, when Christ’s glory is revealed.
An eternal perspective enabled Peter to put away comparison and envy and follow Christ with joy. He wasn’t living any longer for the glory or the comfort of this world—his joy was in Christ, now and forever.
So let’s learn from Peter’s example. Let us stop comparing ourselves to others, but entrust our souls to our faithful Creator and follow Him into joy unimaginable!
And he did it for thirty years—all the while knowing that “follow me” meant following Christ to a martyrs death.
Though Scripture does not record the date of Peter’s death, there is strong tradition that Peter suffered martyrdom at the hands of Emperor Nero around AD65.
If that is true, it means he lived three decades with this prediction of martyrdom hanging over him.
But Peter did not allow this to distract him from following his Lord. He knew “the worst” would happen—yet he did not wallow in self-pity or lash out in anger.
We know from later accounts in Scripture that Peter served the Lord for all of those thirty years, bearing fruit for the glory of God.
And that’s what we can do.
Because of God’s kindness that leads us to repentance, because of His Spirit at work within us to conform us to the image of Christ, because of His preserving grace which enables us to persevere—we can put away envy and follow Peter’s example as he followed Christ.
2010 at 1:58 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Motherhood
If you haven’t done your Mother’s Day shopping yet, here are four ideas from the four girltalkers…
Carolyn loves the bracelet Kristie Anywabile gave her from this website. (Since they probably can’t fill the order in time for Mother’s Day, you can give your mom a picture and tell her it is on the way!)
Nicole just finished reading A Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper on the book of Ruth. This beautiful love story contains comforting and glorious lessons for ordinary women today.
Kristin is currently enjoying these peaceful hymns in her otherwise loud and crazy house.
Janelle says this movie is one of her all-time favorites. The rest of us agree!
As wives we want to pray for our husbands, we try to pray for our husbands—but so often we come up short. Our prayers can be shallow and repetitive, and we feel guilty and discouraged.
As Justin Taylor explains, “Unlike some other similar books, this one is saturated with Bible and sound biblical theology, along with lots of good sidebar quotes about the power and purpose of prayer.”
Here’s Mom’s endorsement.
“Charles Spurgeon said we can do our husband ‘no truer kindness in the world’ than to pray for him. Yet as wives, we often struggle to pray consistently for our husbands. We forget in the busyness of life; or when we do remember, our prayers may lack clarity and direction. That’s what makes this book such a valuable tool for any wife who wants to grow in praying for her husband-and isn’t that all of us? Prayers of an Excellent Wife will inspire you to pray faithfully and fervently, and instruct you how to pray according to Scripture. I hope many wives will use these prayers to lavish their husbands with kindness.”
We hope many of you will benefit from this helpful tool for wives. (And hey, great gift idea for a friend!)
As wives we want to pray for our husbands, we try to pray for our husbands—but so often we come up short. Our prayers can be shallow and repetitive, and we feel guilty and discouraged.
