Key scripture- “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God (1 Peter 4:1–2, ESV).

Suffering will come. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). All will be persecuted? Yes, all.

Because God loves us, He warns us that pain is coming so we aren’t blindsided by it. If you’re driving down the freeway, and a car cuts in front of you, and you see a collision coming, you brace yourself. If you stumble down a flight of stairs, you instinctively throw out your hands to break the fall. God’s Word repeatedly, lovingly warns us that suffering is God’s number one tool for chiseling our character so that we have realistic expectations and can brace ourselves for what’s to come.

Pastor, James McDonald says that, since suffering is coming (or for some of us, is already here), we also need to know what to do, and God’s Word gives us practical advice. It begins with the right mind-set. “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” (1 Peter 4:1). How did Jesus think like this? From the moment His ministry began, He knew where it would end. At the right time, He turned His face to Jerusalem, knowing exactly what awaited Him there. He chose the cross. He willed Himself to be our sacrifice.

We need to arm ourselves with the same mentality. Rather than scratching our heads, wondering why we’re going through hard times, we should be thinking, “I’m one of God’s children, so I’m not surprised by suffering. God has this planned for me, so I’m staying under it. With God, I’m going to get through this. I will persevere and endure. I have Hupomone.”

Along with these realistic expectations, we also need to guard our behavior. Often when we’re going through difficult times, we are more vulnerable to sin. We stand at a crossroads and either get bitter or get better. Either we move forward/upward, or we drift backward/downward. Trials present a watershed moment.

During a time of real hardship, you become a target. Peter warns, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8b). Satan sees God’s children going through hardship, and he’s waiting for an opportune time to pounce. What God allows for your good, Satan wants to twist into evil. Sin that hasn’t tempted you for a long time can crush you during a trial, when all your energy and resources are directed toward surviving. That’s when Satan rushes you. You can find yourself falling into patterns you thought were gone forever. An unsuspecting person might lament, “I thought I’d never touch that bottle again, but here it is, empty.” Satan wants to shame you and make you think you haven’t made any progress at all. But as a blood-bought son or daughter of the living God, you were chosen for something better!

Arm yourself for the onslaught. Guard your behavior “so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (4:2). Life is short, fleeting, like a vapor—gone. God forgive us for the months and years we’ve spent with our pleasure at the top of our agenda. What a shallow existence! Instead of pursuing personal passions, go hard after the will of God in your life. It’s not the hardship, but your response to it that really matters so start letting your response be based on the Word of God instead of your feelings or emotions.

Though temptation to sin can sometimes be heightened in trials, suffering can also make you more focused in your walk with Christ. Pain in one area can sensitize you to other parts of your life. Suffering teaches you in new ways that life isn’t a series of random, unrelated events; it’s all connected. As you formulate urgent prayer requests, you need to examine your life for anything that would prevent you from being heard. You might ask, “God, what do You see in my life that needs to be dealt with? Anything I need to get right with You about? Have I been ignoring You about something?” You need to get the mind-set of a warrior, not wanting to carry anything extra into the battle. “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). Arm yourself with the Word of God like a warrior and put on the body armor of God.(Ephesians 6:10-17).

What trial are you facing now? Are you getting bitter or better? Are you falling prey to old sin patterns, or are you more focused in your walk with Jesus?

We all need a warrior mentality when trials happen, because it’s not the hardship but your response to it that really matters.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, You are a Warrior, and You call me to be a soldier too. Thank You for the warning that suffering is coming. I want to stop being naive and thinking that life should be smooth. You never promised it would be, but You did promise that You would always be there to go through it with me and strengthen me. You are my banner, Yahweh Nissi, and You say to me, “I am your Banner”. I think about the battles that I am facing in my life, and instead of looking for help from the people around me, I will look up and remember, God is my banner. While I am in the trenches, going toe to toe in the battle, I can turn and look up and be reminded that God, Himself, is my banner. I don’t have some sign over me, instead I have the Lord Himself, Who is a banner over me. Nothing is better than that. No matter what my uncertainties are, no matter what I am facing, no matter what I am perplexed about with regard to the future, I will always remember, the Lord is my Banner, He is over me. All that I need, all that I long for, all that I seek to see in my life, God is the one Who is over my life and He is ensuring me that He will provide those things in my life for His glory. They will be a reality. He is my victory, I will not be destroyed. It is so comforting to know that You are over me, watching out for me, that You will supply what I need no matter where I am, and You are there protecting me, You are my victory. Let it be done for Your glory. Give me the wisdom to always arm myself with Jesus’ way of thinking—accepting realistic expectations, guarding my behavior, and drawing closer to You during the trial so You, Yahweh Nissi, can use it to refine me and to bring glory to Your Son, Jesus, in whose Name I pray, Amen.

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