Bible Study

Walking Through Suffering

Most likely, you can think of some area of your life that is difficult right now. Suffering is an inevitable part of living in a fallen world. Even if you aren’t presently struggling, hardship will come your way eventually. The good news is that God has specific purposes for allowing pain and difficulty.

Consider the early church. In their pagan culture, they were slandered, beaten by local officials, and regarded as social outcasts.  Jews considered them heretics.

The apostle Peter encouraged the first Christians to rejoice and live above their difficult circumstances. His first letter addresses how to endure hardship in a way that will please the Lord. We’ll look at two related passages. Begin by reading 1 Peter 4:12-19, and then answer the following questions.

1. Why does God allow us to suffer?

• What is one reason believers experience adversity, according to 1 Peter 4:12?
  
  
  
• Why does Peter say we should rejoice in hardship (v. 13)?
  
  

Sometimes, people will discriminate against us simply because we believe in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).

• If you’re hated for believing, what does that indicate, according to 1 Peter 4:14?
  
  
  
• Summarize what Peter says in verses 15-16.
  
  
  
• What are some ways you have experienced hardship because of your faith? If you can’t think of anything, what are some ways you could be mistreated simply for following Jesus?
  
  

2. How should we respond to suffering?

• What are some practical ways you can “entrust your soul” to God (1 Peter 2:19-25; Ps. 23:4)?
  
  
• Why should we rely on the Lord, if He allows our suffering (2 Cor. 1:5)?
  
  
  
• How should we respond to those who mistreat us, according to 1 Peter 2:23-24?
  
  

(For more about how to respond to your enemies, read Matthew 5:38-48.)

3. How can you resist Satan’s plans to destroy your faith through suffering?
Read 1 Peter 5:6-11. Then answer the following questions.

• How could you apply verses 6-7 to the adversity you face?
  
  
  
• What do you think are some ways that the Devil “devours” suffering believers (vv. 8-9)?
  
  
  
• How can believers resist Satan (vv. 8-9)?
  
  

4. When and how does suffering end?

• According to 1 Peter 5:10, trials won’t last forever. What will God do after we have been tested for a season?
  
  
  
• James explains why we can trust the Lord in the midst of hardship. Which characteristics of the Father allow us to have confidence in Him, according to James 5:10-11?
  
  
  
• What’s the outcome of difficulty, if we respond properly (2 Cor. 4:17-18)?
  
  

Closing: Even though our prayers for deliverance don’t always receive an immediate answer, God creates goodness out of our suffering. If we respond with trust, our faith grows stronger, our lives become purer, and we store up eternal treasures (Rom. 8:18). Draw near to God in your pain. Allow Him to refine you—not despite the trials you face, but because of them.

Prayer: Father, sometimes I wonder why life is so hard. Thank You for having a divine purpose for each trial You allow me to face. Teach me how to run to You for comfort and healing. Remind me to turn my worries over to Your loving care. In Jesus’ name, amen.