We often walk into church with expectations—some high, some low—but rarely do we expect that God wants to do far more in us than we could imagine. His love and commitment to us surpass our own commitment to Him, and He desires to shape us in ways that bring lasting satisfaction in Him. This week, as we continue our series on 1 Peter, we’re challenged to see suffering in a new light—not as something to avoid at all costs, but as a pathway to deeper trust in God. Peter, once impulsive and resistant to the idea of suffering, eventually learned to see hardship as a tool for transformation.

Peter’s life journey showcases an incredible shift in perspective. The same man who rebuked Jesus for predicting His own suffering later wrote extensively about the role of suffering in the Christian life. At one time, Peter was ready to fight to prevent Jesus from enduring pain, but Jesus corrected him, saying, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). Peter didn’t understand that suffering wasn’t just something to escape; it was part of God’s redemptive plan. Now, years later, in 1 Peter, he writes to believers facing persecution, urging them to endure hardship with patience, not as victims, but as those entrusted with a purpose.

Suffering, Peter teaches, exposes what we truly rely on. It reveals our attachments, dependencies, and even our idols—the things we believe we need to be happy. When those things are stripped away, we are left with a choice: to trust in God’s purposes or to fight against them. And while our instinct is to seek protection, validation, or pity, Peter calls us to something greater. He points to Jesus, who, when insulted, did not retaliate; when suffering, did not threaten (1 Peter 2:23). Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, demonstrating the kind of faith we are invited to embody.

One of the marks of Christian maturity is learning to focus on God’s intentions rather than merely seeking His interventions. It’s natural to ask God to remove suffering, but what if, instead, we asked Him what He wants to do through it? Jesus Himself prayed, “Father, if it is possible, take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When we resist suffering, we can sometimes make it worse, like clenching through a painful medical procedure rather than submitting to the process of healing. But when we surrender to God’s work in and through our suffering, we find peace beyond understanding.

This week, consider the areas in your life where suffering is present. Instead of only asking God to take it away, ask Him to reveal His purpose in it. As we align our hearts with His will, we might just find that our greatest trials lead us to the deepest encounters with His love.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you typically respond to suffering—do you try to escape it, fight against it, or seek God in it?
2. Peter once resisted the idea of suffering, but later embraced it as part of following Jesus. Have you had an experience where suffering led you to a deeper understanding of God?
3. What are some ways suffering can reveal our attachments or idols? Have you ever discovered something you relied on more than God during a difficult season?
4. Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father even in His most painful moments. What does it look like for you to entrust yourself to God in the middle of hardship?
5. How can we support each other in suffering while also encouraging each other to seek God’s purpose rather than just relief?