Christians go through trials and sufferings of all kinds in this life. This fact is the cause of confusion and indeed alarm to some. They’ve been told that Christians can live a life of health and wealth. Others have been told that life is overflowing with happiness, is filled with good things, and is basically care-free once a person comes to faith in Christ. So what does it mean when a Christian suffers? Some wonder if their faith is real; others come to the conclusion that God is punishing them for their sin; and still others figure God Himself is the problem — either He’s a liar or He’s not real.

The truth is that the Bible never promises that Christians won’t suffer. On the contrary, not only do all people suffer in this life, but Christians may suffer even more simply because they are Christians. In 2 Tim. 3:12, Paul says that all who are godly in Christ will suffer (persecution). James says that trials are merely a part of life (Jas. 1:2). Beyond that, God says He even brings us into trials (Zech. 13:9). But there is still an open question isn’t there? Why does God bring trials into the lives of those who have been redeemed? We can understand why unbelievers might suffer; but why does God allow His children to suffer?

There are a number of reasons why God takes His people through the fire. One of those reasons has to do with His glory. In Jn. 2:1-7, we’re given an informative account concerning this question.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

Here’s a man who was born blind; he’s suffered a great deal. The disciples ask an interesting question of Jesus: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” You can see that their thoughts concerning why people suffer are not unlike some of the thoughts that we might have. They simply assumed that this man had committed some horrible sin or he wouldn’t be suffering this way. He is no doubt being punished for sinning against God. If he’s not being punished, then the fault must lie with his parents; they must be the ones who committed some atrocity or else he would be able to see.

Don’t overlook Jesus’ first statement: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” It is true that all human beings are born spiritually dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-3) as the result of Adam’s sin and that all suffering in this world is related to that original sin (Rom. 5:12; 8:20-22). But a person is not born disabled because of personal sin. In other words, God doesn’t punish sin that way. Someone can be born disabled if her mother takes drugs during pregnancy. But that is the result of a destructive and sinful action that has physical consequences in a fallen world. That kind of thing relates to human sin, namely Adam’s and the universal affects of it. But God is not punishing a mother for drug use when her child is born disabled. Another mom could take drugs and her baby be born with no disabilities at all.

In the case before us, Jesus went on to say the man was born blind so “that the works of God could be revealed in him.” God was going to perform a miracle in this man’s life through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus healed the blind man to demonstrate the reality of who He is: the Light of the World.

And that’s the primary reason God takes His people through tough times: to show the world through them who He is. He may show people who He is in your life by enabling you to suffer with confidence and peace before others. I know a woman in her twenties who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was expecting her first child. Her prayer was that she would live long enough to deliver the baby. She actually died before full term, but the baby was saved. That’s a sad and painful story to be sure. But the glorious thing about it had to do with her faith and the faith of her husband. While in the hospital, they were a confident testimony to the grace and power of God at work in the lives of His people. After her death, a man told the husband he’d been watching them. He was about to divorce his wife whom he couldn’t stand. He came to realize he needed Christ in his life. He placed his faith in the Lord, committed to love his wife as Christ loved the church, and asked for God’s help to do so; and God brought it about. This man is not perfect, but He’s a new man in Christ and is lovingly committed to his wife. The works of God were revealed in and through the suffering of that precious young couple.

Who knows how God might display His grace and power in your life when you suffer? It’s so important because everyone needs to see who God is. There are people who need the Lord and may see Him through your ordeal. God could heal you for His glory or He could give you an opportunity to talk to others about Him because of your suffering. He could give you opportunity to serve Him, with joy, in a way you had not thought of prior to your trial. I suffered terrible back pain for over a year even getting to a point of paralysis. I couldn’t sleep much at all. Because my family was sleeping quite well at the time, I had nothing to do in the middle of the night. So, I took to writing a little more. In fact, my productivity level soared! Ultimately, I had surgery and can walk just fine now. But I wouldn’t trade that year for anything. God was so gracious to show His power in me in so many ways during that time.

Just remember: your suffering is not pointless. There are many things God is doing in your life through your hardship. But the most fundamental is that He is working in and through you in such a way as to make known to others just how real He is. And just perhaps, He is doing the same thing for you.

Wouldn’t it be great to have the ability to overcome everything life throws at us; things like depression, anxiety, anger, lust, or discontentment? What if we had the capacity to deal with unwanted emotions and feelings; or the ability to handle circumstances that catch us off guard or even blow us away? After all, our culture tells us we can’t control our emotions; they’re simply part of who we are. And things like depression, alcoholism, eating disorders, attention deficit disorder, sexual addiction, etc., are just that, diseases or disorders that can’t be cured. I’d love to be able to conquer things that plague me, wouldn’t you?

I had a man who was committing adultery tell me he knew it was wrong but something inside of him wouldn’t let him stop. Maybe you’ve felt that way toward something else like food, television, or shopping. John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were emotionally hurt when the U.S. Government tried to deport them for their political leanings. John was so angry he went to a party and spent the night with another woman. Yoko said she didn’t like it, but she knew he was upset and understood his actions. I’m sure she wishes things weren’t that way though. It would have been nice if he could have overcome his anger. Perhaps that’s why she ultimately separated from him for a while; deep down she wished that we could be delivered from such cruel impulses.

Human beings have needs don’t they? Our culture tells us that men need respect and women need to feel loved. Men need physical interaction and women need emotional connection. A need is natural and must be met says our world. If our needs aren’t met, we’re not to blame for seeking to get them fulfilled, even if in the wrong way or place. That’s who we are the experts tell us; and that’s how we feel when we listen to them. Yet, we’d all like to be delivered from those things we know are not right or good for us wouldn’t we?

Let me give you some good news; some hope. Actually we can prevail over those things. We’re not victims who have no control over our impulses, desires, feelings, or emotions. We’re not helpless. We’re not the product of an evolutionary process whereby we’re hard-wired to be depressed, addicted, or unable to function in society. We don’t have to be driven by animal passions or defeated by something inside us that won’t let us stop destructive behavior. We aren’t bound by a personality type or circumstances of any kind. If your “Type A” persona gets you in trouble or is giving you heart disease, you can change; you can rise above. The Bible says that peace can be multiplied in our lives: we can overcome because Christ’s “divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). What an amazing thing to contemplate!

Yes, we’re born in sin and are enslaved to sinful desires, feelings, attitudes, emotions, and personalities. But, Christ has set us free from all that. Think about it; in Christ, we have the very power of God working in us.

Peter says two important things from the start. First, it’s God’s power that’s given us everything we need for life. Whatever curve balls life throws at us, we have everything – yes everything we need. We can deal with it, not in our own strength, but by God’s power. We can be at peace despite cancer, financial ruin, or whatever tragedy comes our way. 

Second, it’s God’s power that gives us everything we need for godliness. What does God say about adultery, lust, anger, or discontentment? These things are sinful. What does He say about depression, improper eating habits, or addictions of any kind whether alcohol, sex, or shopping? Those things are also sinful; we’re not to be brought under their power (1 Cor. 6:12). But the good news is that we have God’s power to defeat their power. We don’t have to wallow in sin. We can overcome unbiblical thoughts, attitudes, desires, feelings, emotions, personalities, behaviors, or activities. We have everything we need to be godly.

Now, only in Christ do we have this power. Peter says we have all we need for life and all we need for godliness “through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” We have to know God to have His power. And, we can only know Him if He has called us Peter says. He’s talking about God working His grace and saving power in the heart of an individual. God is the one who effectually calls us out of enslavement to sin, Satan, and death into a saving relationship with Him. His call is no mere invitation that can be ignored. He calls us through His glory and virtue. God’s glory refers to the sum total or reality of who He is. His virtue refers to His righteous character and almighty strength. It is the sinless, righteous, true and living God who calls us by making us alive in Him and emancipating us from Satan’s control. He gives us the ability to see our need of Him and the desire to go to Him for life and forgiveness.

There is nothing inside us that can keep us from being at peace. There is nothing inside us that can keep us from doing what we know is right. There is no so-called need that can drive us to selfish, hurtful acts. We’re tempted in those areas but we have all we need to triumph over those temptations. Wouldn’t it be great to have the ability to overcome everything life throws at us? It would be – and we do.

Peace in this world is illusive. How many American presidents have tried to bring peace to the Middle East only to fail? How many wars have been fought to end all wars? “The Doors” famous song “Peace Frog” is about a lack of peace. Even during times of relative peace, there are always personal circumstances that bring an end to our peace. Here’s the real question in light of all that, can we truly have peace of mind no matter what? It seems impossible.

Yet, we can have peace to cover any thing we face. How do we get it? Well, we can’t get it on our own; we can’t earn it, work for it, or discover it. We don’t even deserve it. In fact, true peace flows from grace; it flows from knowing God. You can’t know God unless He reveals Himself to you. But, if He does, you get a growing grace and peace in your life. So, how does that work?

We have grace to know God and that grace works powerfully in us to increase our knowledge of Him. We know more about Him and we know Him better personally as we’re sanctified by the Spirit. We know better how to live as living is about reflecting God’s character. If I know now that something is sin that heretofore I did not know was sin, I can deal with that sin in my heart and put it off in my life. I have the grace of understanding that a particular issue is sin and I have the grace of being able now to put it to death. I’m reflecting God’s character because I know Him and He’s working in me.

We can also get grace in time of need. Remember when one of the Columbine shooters asked Cassie Bernall if she believed in God? She was staring down the barrel of a shotgun and said, “Yes.” She was immediately killed with a bullet to the head for that answer. Some wonder if they would be able to take a similar stand for Christ. You may feel you couldn’t. That’s because you don’t have grace for something like that right now. But, if you’re called upon to take that stand, God will give you the grace you need to glorify Him. God gave the Israelites enough manna for one day at a time. He gives us enough grace for today. We’ll get more tomorrow.

Now, when we grow in grace, we also grow in peace. That’s why Peter says, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Pet. 1:2). He’s praying that grace and peace not only increase but multiply! Grace and peace can multiply exponentially in your life. Again, the more grace you get, the more peace you get.

Wouldn’t it be great to have peace for every circumstance of life? We need peace when the winds of adversity blow. What kind of peace? We need peace in our hearts: peace of mind. There’s a peace that keeps us from worry and fear no matter what’s going on. There’s a peace that keeps our hearts calm when we should be agitated or angry from a human perspective. There’s a peace that gives us the confidence we need to carry forward no matter what’s happening. We need that peace and can get more of it just like we can get more grace. We can go to Jesus, our faithful high priest, for grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). That help leads to peace.

How does grace and peace get multiplied to us? Again, Peter says it’s multiplied “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” We know God. He’s revealed Himself to us in Jesus our Lord. Because we know Him, we can have a multiplying grace and peace. The practical upshot of that reality is the more we get to know God, the more grace and peace we’ll have in our hearts.

We know God better as we commune with Him and experience His grace and peace. Read and meditate upon His Word, not as an academic exercise, but as the means of hearing His voice. Turn it over in your mind and apply it to the attitudes and thoughts you have as well as to the actions you take. Commune with God through worship. The higher or more exalting thoughts of God you have the more you know Him for who He truly is. Biblical fellowship with the people of God around the things of God is also a means to know God better. As we talk about Him, His mighty works, His work in our lives, and so much more, we grow in our relationship with Him. Of course, prayer undergirds our intimacy with and desire to know God better. Prayer shouldn’t be viewed as merely asking God for things we want. Prayer is a means of communing with God all day long. Talk to Him about everything. The more He’s on your mind, the closer you’ll be to Him. And, the closer you are to God, the more practical grace you’ll experience and the more peace you’ll have; you’ll be at peace because you’ll experience God more. He’s always with you. Yes, the “Peace Frog” is an illusion; but the “God of Peace” is not.

There’s a phrase that conjures up a life that’s care-free, at peace, and enjoyable. Sometimes people say they’re “just livin’ the life.” The idea is that I’m just living this unbelievably sought-after life. Of course, that’s a fantasy for the most part, unless you understand what life is really about.

What is the meaning of life? It’s surely not summed up in the pursuit of things or survival of the fittest, nor is it summed up in being religious or spiritual. The goal of life is not merely going to Heaven when you die. Life is about knowing God, being like God, and having meaning and purpose in God; His purpose becomes your purpose.

Think about even this simple greeting from Peter: “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:1). Peter knew that life is more than what we do or what happens here. He also knew that life is not something you discover or gain as a reward for being religious or doing good things. Life is something you obtain because God gives it to you. That’s why he says we have obtained faith – it’s a gift given to us. We have obtained it, says Peter, “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” It wasn’t our righteousness but Christ’s; we obtained it, not because of something in us or something we did, but because of something in Christ and something He did.

There is no small debate concerning the meaning of righteousness. But even a cursory walk through the Bible gives us the notions of justice, goodness, moral perfection, holiness, etc. It’s the opposite of what we are as human beings apart from God. The righteousness of Christ refers to who He is in His infinite perfections, how He lived in His sinless, earthly existence, and what He did in His perfect work on the cross. His cross-work (dying in the place of guilty sinners so they wouldn’t die) is what brings righteousness (right standing) before God to those who trust in Christ and His righteousness.

Now, it’s the righteousness, or perfect justice, goodness, moral character, and holiness of Christ that has obtained salvation for us. It’s Christ who is “our God and Savior;” He is the true and living God, King over all, Lord of our hearts, and the one who has saved us from the wrath to come. It’s God’s righteousness in Christ that has delivered us from death.

Life is more than deliverance from death as well. It’s knowing God who Himself is life. That’s why Peter gladly said he was “a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” God had called him powerfully unto Himself and into His service. As a bondservant he was held captive by God’s grace and as an apostle he was sent by Christ to serve others in His name.

What does that have to do with us? Peter wrote his second letter “to those who have obtained like precious faith with us.” The faith that his recipients had is the same faith you have because it’s the same faith Peter had. We have obtained “like . . . faith” with him (and the other apostles). It’s faith in Christ for salvation from sin, Satan, and death (God’s wrath) that we have if we know Him.

That “like . . . faith” we have with Peter is also precious. Why is faith precious? It’s precious because you can’t obtain it on your own; you can’t work for it, earn it, or discover it. You don’t even deserve it. It’s precious because it’s valuable unto life and it’s relatively rare as few obtain it. More than that, it’s costly; in fact, it’s infinitely costly. It cost God the death of His perfect Son. Saving faith is precious because it came “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Now, we too are held captive by grace and sent by God.

So, think big picture. Your God-given-by-the-righteousness-of-Christ-apostle-like-precious-faith avails for you, clothes you, and compels you to be confident in every endeavor for the promotion of God and His ways in your world. It’s your purpose; your reason to be. So, the next time someone asks you how you’re doing, you can truly say, “Just livin’ the life!”