1 Peter 3:13-22

Be Still: Lord Jesus, as I open my heart and mind to your word, would you speak to me and change me. 

Read: 1 Peter 3:13-22

'Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!' (v17)

Encounter: Peter is writing to Christians who faced ridicule, persecution, and rejection for their faith. They were trying to follow the way of Jesus in a hostile world. Jesus didn’t promise us an easy ride. In fact, he said that we would have trouble in this world. But Peter in his letter points out that it’s possible that we may misinterpret the cause and purpose of our suffering.

There’s a difference between self-inflicted suffering and the kind of suffering associated with persecution. Sometimes we experience difficulties because we have made poor choices and suffering comes as a natural consequence of our actions. On the other hand, we sometimes suffer because we are living against the grain of the world, when we choose to love others or when we speak the truth, for example. This is the kind of suffering that sometimes comes when we follow Jesus. 

Sometimes we can misinterpret the kind of hardship we are experiencing and blame God for what we’re going through. When, actually, the difficulties we are encountering are as a result of our own choices. It’s really important that we correctly identify which is which. Either way, whether our circumstances are a result of our own choices or not, God will in His power weave His plans and purposes into our lives.

Apply: Lord, are there things that I am going through that are a result of my own choices? Help me to be honest with you and myself. I’m sorry if I have misidentified difficulties in my life and projected them back on to you.

Devote: Father, thank you that whatever my circumstances, I know that you are weaving your plans and purposes into my life. Help me to see the difference between the consequences of my choices.