When I am going through tough times, I certainly do more thinking about my life and what might be wrong with it. I usually don’t give a lot of thought of life choices when things are going well. Why is that? We want pain of all sorts to go away and if there is anything we can do, especially in a spiritual commitment, we want to know it. Interestingly, suffering causes us to review our priorities.           

I think Peter is reviewing a thought he had given before. Jesus was the suffering servant and prepared His people to do the same. There are a variety of types of suffering which can include physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and social. The world is fallen. The suffering implied in this context is when the desire to live for Jesus Christ runs in conflict with the world and specifically the problems we face with decisions to live by different values. When we say no to sin and fitting in with those around us, it can mean a job loss or family problems, or lawsuits, or hatred, or ostracism.           

It seems Peter is referring us back to the point of 1 Peter 2:20-25 “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

The attitude of Jesus that becomes the armament for us in suffering is to do what is right. Jesus did what was right, and it resulted in our salvation. Faith is knowing we are on the winning team and, that this world is a light and momentary affliction. In following the attitude of Jesus in our spiritual attacks is knowing, that in His time, God will bring about good. But, from a world’s point of view it may not seem like it.              

The hard thing for most of our youth is the temptation to want Jesus, whereas our friends tend to go along with whatever crowd they happen to be around. It is easy to cheat, lie, smoke, drink, curse, do drugs, or have sex when everyone around them seems to be doing it. They can go to church and youth group and talk about Jesus, but down deep, if they are saved, the Holy Spirit gnaws at their conscience and they know they are living a double life. There is little joy in knowing the Lord with those conflicts.           

Many adults have also fallen into the worldview of materialism, or political commitment, or social relationships that can results in compromises with seeking to live for God’s glory.           

Have the same attitude as Jesus. Arm yourselves knowing that if you live for the Lord, you will experience various degrees of rejection, loneliness, and persecution, but do right anyway, as this is pleasing unto the Lord.           

Application:  What would Jesus do if He were in your situation?

Prayer:  Lord, help me to have the same mind in me that Christ Jesus has and live to follow His example.