Patience Even in Suffering

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

1 Peter 2:18-20

The Apostle Peter brings up a rather pertinent, but difficult subject when he urges Christians to have patience even in suffering.

Though our country does not permit slavery, we are all servants to someone; as a matter of fact we are often servants and masters at the same time! At work we are servants to those over us, and may also be in charge of those under us. In the home, the parents are the "masters" and the children are the "servants." In other words, the word "servant" is speaking of all relationships where one person must answer to an authority over them.

When we find that those over us are wise and honest, it is not too difficult to be subject to them; they are easy to respect and honor. However, when the person over us is froward (habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition [Webster]), the task of obedience and respect is much more difficult.

Peter explains in this manner: if you have faults and/or do something wrong, do you expect to be honored because you suffer for your faults or for your wrongdoing? Are you bringing glory to God by suffering for your own sins?

Did Christ die on the cross because He had sinned? Of course not! Christ had lived a perfect, sinless life and yet was still condemned to die on the cross. As Christians , we are often called upon to suffer for things we have not done; if we suffer patiently and quietly, God is glorified.

Most often, like those around us, we are the first to complain if someone dares to speak against us or to do anything to us. However, God is only glorified when we suffer in silence without complaining or speaking evil of those who are causing the suffering. Now we are entering the arena that is difficult for the non-Christian to understand. Why wouldn't we stand up for ourselves? Don't we have a right to speak badly about a person who has treated us wrongly?

God calls His children to live above the world, yet not in the world. Look at your life through the eyes of God, remembering that He is always right there with you. Many times He does not answer your prayers immediately because He has a greater good to accomplish through your suffering.

As Christians, pray that God will give you patience in suffering, remembering that this world is not your home.