It’s All in Your Mind

) J The third result is that you will do the will of God. You will never find the will of God until your sin is laid aside, the normal human desires fall out of place and the will of God becomes important. Christian, arm yourself! You are going to suffer in the flesh, but it will produce something. Verse twelve says, "(]Jttt'J.IJH!., lltink a ntJ.I. JJNuup. ~ /Ju l.iOIJ uial.." We begin to see the picture of the kind of suffering Peter is talking about. Possibly we do not identify at all because we believe Peter was talking about his own coming suffering and the suffering of the early saints. I believe that Peter is saying, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the severe trial which shall come to prove you, as though something strange is happening to you." We. as believers, begin to think that we are unique, that no other believer has ever suffered like we are suffering. That which is happening to you is not strange. It is not only happening to you, but it happens to other saints. We always look at other Christians and are envious that our lives are not like theirs. They seem to have it so good. If you could change lives with them, you would probably want to return immediately toyour own, because they, too, have trouble. Every believer has trials. Peter adds, "(]Jul ~,, I am to rejoice in the severe trials that are maturing me; they are not unique to me, for every believer has them. He says, "Arm yourself with a like mind." Christ suffered, you are going to suffer, and it should produce maturity and security with more happiness. peace, love, and service. Many times when we have a severe trial, we say, '' When I get through this, I am not going to do another thing. I' m just going to protect myself." Did you ever do something for the Lord and get stepped on and criticized? Did you say, 'Tm not going to do anything again."? The true believer cannot stay in such a shell. The moment he suffers, or is reproached or criticized, he may mope for awhile. That feeds his human nature and proves that he is still human. The Holy Spirit starts to work from within, the believer forgets his suffering, picks himself up, and starts again. As a result, he becomes more secure and happy, loving and full of praise. Accept suffering with the same attitude that Christ had when He suffered. This brings maturity. In verse thirteen, Peter says, "(}Jul ~ ina »nu.eh a.,_ fJ£ an fUUl,a.lun o/, f!luul'.,_ m/µ~- dud, wlwt Im g/1,nJ, JwJL ~~ ,µ ntmJ- he glad ol.uJ. millt ~ j(,IJ." There is something to look forward to, either joy out of suffering or joy when Christ is revealed in His glory from Heaven. Both are probably applicable. Verse fourteen says, "'d/. fl£ he~ f.i,,,_ du nanu a/ flluuL » Again, this phrase challenges us. Peter is not so concerned about physical suffering as he is about mental suffering. What is the severest trial for the believer in Christ? To be reproached! Our Savior said, "(Bl.awl, an tJ£, w.lun mm Jiall "1J-ih ,pm, ond p,uueu1R, IJ(U4 and JuJl lll.lJ, ulL m.mr.nu . o/. w.iL fUJILln.,l ,pJ-1.l /nh1l,h l,t,ll ntlJ, ,alu" (Matthew 5:11). There is that mental anguish again. You were not hit with a stick. You were hit with criticism, with reproach, with ridicule, and you suffered. Arm your mind for this, for it will happen again and again and again. Have you been beaten for Christ? Probably not, but you have suffered mentally and emotionally, and Heaven seemed to dose up. God seemed to be distant, and you said, "Am I so bad?" No, this is a severe trial to prove that you are just like other Christians. "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye." I have taught myself over and over again that there will 73