How should we respond to suffering?

1 Peter 3:8-18

"Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing. For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must deep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and he must turn away from evil and do what is good. He must seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil."
8-12

How often do we pay back evil for evil? The answer is, usually, as soon as we get the chance. When we are caught up in the moment, what is the first thing that we think about? Vengeance.
How often are we like-minded? How often are we sympathetic? How often do we love our fellow believers? How often are we compassionate and humble? The answer is not enough.

"And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, your are blessed. Do no fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil"
13-17

This is my favorite passage in the Bible. Mainly I love it because of two verses. "Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." This says that we should always be ready to give a defense for your faith, for the Gospel, for your Hope in Christ. In order for this to happen, we have to show the hope that we have in Christ first, don't we. Yes, always be ready. But give people a reason to ask about your hope. "However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame." When someone asks you a question about your faith, don't feel offended. Give your answer boldly, as well as gentle and show respect to the person you are talking to. People are always looking for us to mess up, and we will eventually. But how do you respond when you mess up. They will accuse you, they will denounce your Christian lifestyle. But the way we respond is how they can be put to shame.

"For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm."
18

So, how should we respond to suffering, and persecution? By showing love, kindness, respect, and by following Jesus' example. If you do this, the people that cause your suffering, will be put to shame.

Bro. Michael