The discussion was lively and challenging with stimulating questions and observations as we reviewed the first two chapters of the book of First Peter. As is often the case, we were a little hard on ourselves. Maybe we don’t suffer enough…perhaps our faith is not strong enough…or our spiritual sacrifices are not sacrificial enough….
What is the balance between rejoicing and suffering? I admit that answers are not easy, but there is help. In the midst of the text (1 Peter 1:6) is a little word we easily overlook. The verb is usually translated “to grieve”, but it can carry the idea of heaviness and affliction. The question is not only, “Do we suffer?” The question is, “What causes us grief?” Do we hurt for the situation of our world? Are our hearts heavy for the circumstances of those we know and love?
It is true that we often fail to do what we think we should do. But before we are too hard on ourselves, let us observe that we sometimes fail to act because we have tried before without results. We have spoken up for the Lord, accepted the ridicule, and seen that hearts were hardened more than softened. We have tried to share the gospel, but faced hearts protected by stone walls. We have observed the disinterest, the immorality, the lack of commitment. I regret (repent?) that I fail to act, but I also affirm that my heart is heavy for the lost and those outside of Christ. I grieve for the spiritual demise and decay in my nation.
May God gives us hearts that can always be touched by the hurts around us. Such “grieving” demonstrates faith just as does our faithful endurance of suffering.