Being a Christian does not shield you from being tested. It does not exclude you from suffering at times. What’s clear throughout the Scriptures is that God allows suffering among His people, sometimes in extreme ways. In this episode, Frank King addresses the subject of suffering as a Christian.

In 1 Peter 4:12, Peter writes, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (KJV). In different Bible versions, this verse is translated somewhat differently. For instance, the KJV refers to “the trial which is to try you.” The NASB says, “concerning the fiery trial among you” as if it was happening at the time of Peter’s writing. The ESV renders, “the fiery trial when it comes upon you.”

The bottom line is that Peter was writing to those whom he wrote about fiery trials and telling them not to regard them as being strange. All three of the Bible versions mentioned above reveal that the purpose of the trial is to try us or to test us or to prove us.

Those of us living in the Western World tend to have a different view of suffering than those in other places. Real suffering as a Christian happens when you are a Christian living in Communist or Islamic territory. And you are asked to either renounce your faith or die. And you choose to die for your faith. We happen to be blessed to live in a country that’s still somewhat friendly to Christians. At least that’s true now.

 Accordingly, it’s easier for us in the US to become numb to the idea of real suffering for Christ. In many churches today, we preach more about prosperity and blessings than we do about being faithful to Christ. But God wants us to boldly live out our faith even when it costs us some suffering to do so.