I’m sorry you are in a season of suffering. Suffering is hard and no fun, yes. Sure, you’d rather do something else, be somewhere else. “Why is this happening?” you cry. I hope I can encourage you in some small way.
Peter said, “Do not be surprised at this fiery trial, when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12).” This is not a perfect world, and suffering is to be expected; do not be surprised. We think life will always be peaceful and easy, but the truth is, most of life is the opposite: hard and difficult, with a few brief moments of happiness and calm. Do not be surprised when suffering comes. “To everything there is a season,” and that is true of hardship and suffering.
Peter also says this suffering is a test. Earlier in his letter he wrote that we are saved and “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Then he tells us, “You have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. You can rejoice in this, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. In the end, the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—will be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3-7).” Suffering grows our faith and deepens our relationship with the Lord. We see His hand of protection, blessing, and goodness through the suffering. We can be comforted and sing, “It is well with my soul” even though everything around us is falling apart. We know something better is coming and we look forward to our inheritance that is coming. We keep our “eyes on the prize” and can even rejoice when we suffer.
The good news is: Jesus has come, and one day Jesus will return. All wrongs will be righted, and all suffering will stop. John writes about that day in Revelation 21:3-4, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” As you suffer today, do not be surprised, but remember you have something better to look forward to. That is your comfort and joy in this hard season.