Saturday, December 3, 2011

Suffering Is Central to Christianity: Meditation on 1 Peter


First Peter makes it clear that suffering is central to Christianity. After the standard greetings of “grace and peace,” the writer begins right in discussing suffering. Every time he moves on to discuss other things, he comes right back to suffering. In fact, he bluntly says that when we suffer, we should not “be surprised” “as though some strange thing were happening.” Suffering is basic. Suffering is Christianity 101. It is little wonder that our primary symbol is a torture instrument: the cross.

The letter, then, says quite a bit about suffering. To begin with, it is “necessary” for us to be “distressed by various trials” because these trials will result in good things, as they are connected to our faith, to glorifying Jesus Christ, and eventually to “the salvation of [our] souls.” After all, suffering is central to the life and work, even the very identify, of Christ. Indeed, it is by his suffering that he was revealed to “the prophets who prophesied of the grace.” So in turn, “for the sake of conscience toward God,” we too are to “bear up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.” We are not to return abuse for abuse. We are not to give back evil for evil. Suffering in this way is our debt, the example set for us in Christ, and our calling. We are called to suffer. It is a blessing to “suffer for the sake of righteousness.” Moreover, sometimes our suffering will lead to righteousness, especially when we suffer in our struggles to be more like Christ. Moreover, we are not alone in our suffering. Not only has Christ suffered before us, but those all over the world who follow Christ share “the same experiences of suffering.” Also, after we “have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace” will grow us. Because of all this, the writer even goes so far as to say that “to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing.”

But this is a lot to accept. Rejoice in our suffering? Bear through our suffering with patience? Not return abuse for abuse? If this is possible, it is only so because of the deep spiritual insight that is the heart of the epistle, a beautiful truth: “Those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

The gospel of suffering is good news only in a world where everyone suffers already anyway. Our suffering is not relieved for following Christ—in some cases it is made worse—but it is given meaning. Moreover, we are given examples of how to suffer well, we are assured of companions in suffering, and we are shown glimpses of what good can come out of our suffering. Most importantly, our suffering becomes part of our life in God. Read it again: “Those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” Our suffering is not relieved but it is transformed.

The basic movement of prayer is surrendering to God—letting go of everything we are holding on to and accepting everything that God has for us. At times, this is pure joy. Usually, it is not. But my prayer is that, in our suffering, we will entrust ourselves to God.

3 comments:

Anna Cotton said...

Paul, this is a beautiful reflection—as valuable as it is encouraging. I believe that Christ joins me in my suffering, but I deeply appreciated how you added to my understanding with your nuanced list--particularly how my suffering is “given meaning,” and how I am “given examples of how to suffer well,” and how I have “companions in suffering,” and how I can even see “glimpses of good come out of my suffering,” and how my suffering becomes “part of my life in God.” Knowing all this helps, but your ending holds the key—“surrendering to God—letting go of everything we are holding on to and accepting everything that God has for us.” I committed to the process and journey. I’m grateful for those beside me on the way, and I join you in your prayer, “that, in our suffering, we will entrust ourselves to God.” Amen!

Thanks and blessings, Anna

RC said...

Paul, this is powerful and lovely. Deeply true and wise. I want to live with these truths operating with genuineness in my life. And I'm grateful to part of a community that is seeking to live this way with me.

Thank you for sharing this! Rickey

Daniel said...

Paul, thank you for spending time with such a difficult topic. I think you've touched on some great truths regarding the deepening of our spiritual life through suffering. I'll confess, I wonder if contemplative discourse is sometimes (and perhaps only in misappropriation) guilty of ordaining all suffering through generalization, or perhaps of pushing past the injustice of a particular event or oppressive system to the spiritual benefits that can be personally gleaned from enduring it. I don't think this is ever the intention, perhaps only a sin of omission, but it is a nuance I'm trying to be careful with.

In any case, your reflection reminds me that in its appropriate application, a theology of suffering binds us together with Christ and with others in their suffering, regardless of the obstacles presented by first-world privileges or a healthy fear of trivializing someone else's hardships by short-cutting to spiritual fruits. Participation in suffering should bring us together.

I liked this:

"Not only has Christ suffered before us, but those all over the world who follow Christ share 'the same experiences of suffering.' "

and especially:

"The gospel of suffering is good news only in a world where everyone suffers already anyway. Our suffering is not relieved for following Christ—in some cases it is made worse—but it is given meaning."

My prayer is that, through the grace of God, we might be able to share in the pain of others through our own suffering and grow closer to one another by being present to our roles in both inevitable and preventable suffering.

Blog Archive