It Can Happen to You
Written by Dr. Tom Smith, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics
On one of his difficult days, the man’s journal read, “I feel totally discouraged today about a number of things. Everything seems to have come to a head! My body is sore, my thoughts are wondering, and my mind is racing….why did this happen to me? It just seems so unfair! I feel so lonely…. I can’t sleep…. What is God doing? Why does everything seem so difficult? I can’t seem to climb out of this pit. This constant physical and mental pain has exasperated me. Surely, things will get better? If this is life, I’m not sure I want it!”
That was written by a Christian. Someone who had been in ministry, and walked with the Lord for over 46 years! It was written in my journal, 4 years ago.
Have you had those times when you have hit a wall? You’re afraid to admit it because after all, you’re a Christian…. Does this ever sound like you?
Peter in the very first chapter of his letter says, 1:6–7,
“you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith, more valuable than gold, which, though perishable, is refined by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of JC.”
We are challenged to be sober minded, ready for action, setting our entire hope on the grace and revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter was a letter written to wives, husbands, employees, employers, slaves, masters, and students and addresses the tests that come from everyday life. In other words, this letter is for you and I.
Two verses in chapter 4 really stand out to me…. Verse 12 — “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you….”
And Verse 19, “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
It just happened one day… I woke up, had some normal difficulties at work, all of a sudden I was overwhelmed with the feeling that people didn’t like me, and began to get emotional … and then, I hit a wall!
How is it a 60-year-old, having known the Lord for 46 years, a former pastor, elder in the church, could struggle so much? I suppose I never will know the answer.
The doctor attributed it to anxiety from struggling with an auto-immune disease for 30 years, and having the serious heart issues I encountered in 2012.
The psychiatrist believed I had experienced deep depression event, where it could have been a mental breakdown likely triggered by recent deaths of my co-workers and former best friends. The Christian therapist believed it had a lot to do with my past. Everything hit me at once.
All I knew was I was struggling like no other time I have experienced. I was crying out to God — why me? It’s real life.
Ultimately, I was placed on medication, went to counseling, dealt with major issues from my past, and learned better coping skills and how to recognize things that triggered such devastating reactions.
Mental health issues are a real thing, and should not be looked upon as something taboo. Let me provide some Biblical assistance if you are going through very difficult times.
Here in 1 Peter, we find an interesting text…. “Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual or strange were happening to you.”
In Acts 4, 5, 7 and 8, persecution was following the spreading of the Gospel, all while thousands of converts were coming to the Lord. This was happening in Jerusalem, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Thessalonica, Corinth — all over!
All throughout the New Testament, persecution was lodged by the local officials for political purposes (Acts 12:1–3) — “About that time King Herod violently attacked some who belonged to the church, executing James, John’s brother with the sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the festival of unleavened bread.”
We read in Acts 16, Some were being persecuted because of false accusations from Gentiles whose profits from sin were threatened.
In the Greek, the phrase fiery ordeal means “Fire, burning” and can be translated, “Refining fire” and undoubtedly came from Proverbs 27:21, “The crucible is for silver, but the furnace is for gold.”
Peter is reminding the readers and us that the fiery ordeal was for the purpose of testing and refining their/our faith, and so they ought not to conceive of their suffering as something strange or unexpected. It’s okay to get help!
But perhaps you are not suffering. Then, how do we take this message? What would the Lord say to you?
I would submit to you that if you are not suffering, then God wants you to join in the pain of others, and bear with one another’s burdens and suffering. Come alongside someone and Identify with their struggles through prayer, encouragement, and NOT judging, but to allow God to work in us just as He wills, even through our suffering.
Although we seldom know the specific reasons for suffering, when we are overwhelmed, we should seek profession care — therapy — and look to the Bible which provides us with faith-sustaining tips.
Here are 3 faith-sustaining generic reasons I have learned for Suffering.
1. Reliance — Suffering is a call to trust God and not our own strength or stability. Maybe we have placed God, others, or our own desires above God, and God is trying to get our attention. He loves us so much He will allow some adversity to come into our lives to get our attention and to refocus on Him. He will allow our suffering to refine our faith.
Proverbs 3:5 ESV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Exodus 14:14 ESV “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
John 15:4–5 ESV “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing”
2. Reward — Suffering is working for us a great reward in heaven that will make up for every loss her a thousand-fold.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
3. Reminder — Suffering reminds us that God has sent his only Son into the world to suffer so that our suffering would not be God’s condemnation, but His purification.
Phil. 3:10 “Oh that I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
It’s not the end of the story, but…
For me, hitting the wall turned out to be a godsend. Where I used to be very critical of people on anti-depressants, and anxiety medicine, I had quite an awakening — I no longer judge them.
The combination of medication and counseling really helped me in knowing what triggers such responses, and forgiving both myself and those who have hurt me in the past. I also have genuine empathy for those who suffer. I can come alongside them and identify with their pain. My ministry to such individuals is far more effective and done in love.
Here I am four years later, much better, and able to utilize coping skills I had never learned. I am aware of my frailty, and don’t regard myself as better than others.
I take one day at a time, and I am far more sensitive to those around me who are struggling….
I identify with Paul in 2 Cor. 4:7–9, “…we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God, and not ourselves; for we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
How about you? How is 1 Peter impacting you? Take heart in your affliction…. God is in control. If you are suffering, reach out to a friend for prayer, support, or just an ear… But know this, you can rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, you will rejoice when His glory is revealed, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you…
This week, seek out someone who needs your support. Walk alongside them in their struggle.
“So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good!”
