Holy Happiness - Part 8

Happiness & Suffering

In this series we have been looking at Holy Happiness – that deep-down presence within us of joy, peace and contentment that the world cannot take away; a true sense of blessedness.  We’ve learned how to have Holy Happiness and have looked at examples of some who did.

Last session we began looking at issues that we might expect would (or at least could) negatively impact our Holy Happiness.  The issue last session was discipline.

This session I want to spend time examining another issue in life that we might seriously anticipate would rob us of all our sense of blessedness.  And that is: suffering.

It’s hard to imagine that we would describe ourselves as happy while experiencing suffering.  But for the Christian, this is exactly the case – or at least, it can be and should be!

Suffering…not one of our favorite words!  Let me be honest with you: I hate suffering!  Suffering stinks!  I really don’t like to experience it; and I certainly don’t like watching someone else go through it either.  Even people I don’t like all that much, I don’t get any pleasure watching them go through suffering.  Because I’ve been through some, I know how horrible suffering can be.

So let me say it again, but this time as a question.  Can you imagine describing yourself as happy while experiencing suffering?  Is it even possible?

Peter thought it was.  He should know.  He certainly experienced suffering.  So let’s see what he wrote about it.

Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don’t be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.  Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

In sufferings (notice it’s plural; meaning multiple sufferings), rejoice!??  Are you kidding me?  No.  Peter’s not kidding at all.  He suffered because he was a follower of Jesus.  He knew about suffering.  Yet, he is the one who wrote these words – this command.  Let’s look at his words in some detail and see if we might be able to rejoice when suffering.

I.    First word I want to look at is… when.

“Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises…”  I wish Peter had not used the word when.  I would like it so much better if he had used a word like: if.

If leaves the possibility open that I might not experiencing suffering.  “If suffering arises…”  Sounds a lot better, doesn’t it?!!

But Peter did not use the word if; he clearly wrote when.  The King James Version states it this way: “…fiery trial which is to try you…”  Same meaning; it is going to happen.  Peter knows that suffering is coming into your life and my life (into every life).  It’s not a matter of if; only of when.  Sorry!

II.  Second, let’s look at the phrase… fiery ordeal.

A text note in my Bible says this phrase literally means: the burning.  Another translation says fiery trial, and has a text note suggesting the phrase means severe testing.  Whichever phrase you use, seems the same to me – real, intense suffering!

Peter is not talking about a splinter in your finger or a bill paid two days late.  He’s not talking about guys sitting through chick-flick movies, nor wives enduring football season.  He’s not talking about long commutes, crowded subways, or hangovers the next morning.

He is talking about suffering!  Fiery ordeals…the burning…severe testing…Peter is talking about real, life-impacting, challenging to the core…suffering!

And he has already stated that it is going to happen.  He even tells us why.

III. Third, look at the word… test.

The reason Peter gives for the severe, burning ordeals is “…to test you…”  Other versions say, “…to prove you…”

Isn’t that what a test does?  It proves something about you.

A math test proves if you get the concepts and can do the problems.  A history test proves if you know the dates, persons and events.  A long marriage proves your commitment.  A faithful, obedient walk with Christ proves your love and dedication.  Sometimes good things in life prove – or demonstrate – some truth about us.  So does suffering.

Peter says that suffering is a test.  It is your response to the test that proves something (demonstrates some truth) about you.

So how should we respond to suffering?  Peter next gives us two ways we are to respond to suffering; one is a negative command, the other a positive one.

IV. In this next phrase, Peter tells us what NOT to do in response to suffering.  After our discussion so far this should be obvious, but here it is… don’t be surprised.

“…when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don’t be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.”

When you experience suffering, don’t be surprised!  It is going to come into your life, so don’t be surprised!  Sometimes life stinks and sometimes it’s painful and hurts really bad and deep; when this happens to you don’t be surprised!

Peter reminds us that our suffering is not “something unusual.”  This means suffering is usual.  Suffering is common.  So don’t be surprised.

We may be shocked when the doctor says, “Cancer!”  We may not be expecting the sudden trial that overtakes us.  We may never have seen the test coming.

But when such happens in your life, don’t be surprised that suffering has come knocking on your door.  Don’t be caught off-guard.  It happens.  It is going to happen.

Important truth: When suffering comes, if you ARE surprised then you ARE NOT prepared.

Thankfully, Peter does not end with this command of how NOT to respond to suffering.  He next tells us how we ARE to respond.

V.  One word sums it up… rejoice!

“Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.” (vs. 13)

In fact, twice Peter says to rejoice!  One is for now, and one for later.  Let’s look at the now.

a.       As you experience suffering, you are to respond with rejoicing.  Not a head-in-the-sand, unrealistic, blinded refusal to acknowledge what is happening in your life.  But an honest, “Yes it hurts; it’s really bad.  But deep down, I still know I am blessed – that God loves me and that He is still in control and will do what is best for me, always!”

It is faith in God – a total dependency on His grace, mercy and love – that allows a Christian to rejoice, no matter what is happening.

Peter did not live a care-free, pain-free, happy-go-lucky life!  He was intimately acquainted with suffering.  But he also knew God intimately.  And it was his relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah that allowed him to rejoice, despite (or through) the suffering.

b.      The second time we get to rejoice occurs later… “at the revelation of His glory.”  If we walk with Him, then when Jesus returns and His glory is revealed to all creation, we will rejoice!  I know I will…for several reasons.

First, because there will be no more suffering!  I cannot wait until I am in the place where there are no more tears of sadness; no more disease, pain, sorrow, or suffering of any kind.  Absolutely, yes!  I’ll be rejoicing on that day!

Second, I’ll rejoice at seeing Jesus face to face.  Being able to be with Him, talk with Him, walk with Him; to hear His voice and the love He has for me will certainly be cause for rejoicing.  Like Peter said, I will “rejoice with great joy…”

Third, I will rejoice at the splendor and wonder of that place prepared for me.  Heaven is going to be awesome; totally more than you or I ever dared hope or dream that it might be.  Heaven’s reality is more than we are able to even imagine.  So yes, catch me as I enter through those pearly gates, and you will see me rejoicing!

In that moment, as Christ’s glory is revealed, whatever suffering I am experiencing will immediately, suddenly and completely end!

I don’t think I’ll be the only one rejoicing!

So now, as we complete this session, let me ask a question.  Should suffering cause us to lose any of our Holy Happiness…our sense of blessedness?

Peter would have us know that the answer is, “No!”  That it is possible to have Holy Happiness, even when experiencing suffering.  Indeed, we can rejoice while suffering because we will certainly be rejoicing once it’s done!