As a preschool teacher, I have to deal with a certain amount of gross stuff: scraped knees, snotty noses, upset stomachs, and—perhaps worst of all—lice. These things are never expected, yet they never come as a real surprise, either. They’re all just part of life in a classroom.

The same is true of suffering: it just happens. Although we don’t usually expect it, we know there will be suffering in our lives because there’s no such thing as a life without suffering. No one ever said we have to like it. Except the author of 1 Peter just did. “Rejoice” for suffering? Seriously?

It sounds crazy at first, but think about it this way: suffering is another way in which we can relate to Jesus and Jesus can relate to us. We can’t relate to a life without sin. But pain and suffering? Yep, we can relate to that. Suffering stinks, no doubt about it, but it gives us an opportunity to grow closer to Christ. That is certainly a reason to rejoice!

By Julie Ball from D365