Perhaps one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the midst of affliction is not being able to see through the fog. The event, person, circumstance, etc., causing the affliction has a tendency to harness the focus of the believer, thus leaving him unable to see beyond the affliction itself.
It is as though there is a beautiful horizon the Christian has been gazing into, when, all of a sudden, a blindfold gets placed over his eyes. He no longer can see what is out there, but instead his vision becomes darkened and the beauty disappears.
One of the greatest tragedies in the life of a Christian is when he ceases to see as God sees. If he could only see as God sees, the peace of God that surpasses understanding would surely come. But nevertheless, the Christian finds himself stuck yet again as affliction crashes in on him.
But how does one deal with affliction? How can the Christian move forward during times of pain, suffering, loss, and trial? The key is not to look at the affliction itself but to look beyond it. Seek to take your eyes off of the problem at hand and look beyond, back to that beautiful horizon that is off in the distance.
The book of 1 Peter deals with a group of believers that are undergoing severe trial. It was during this period of time that the persecution of Christians spiked. The emperor of Rome was Nero, and he desired to build on a plot of land that was, at that time, a slum of sorts. He figured the only way, or at least the best way, of doing this was to set the region of the city on fire. He burned it to the ground, and people came rushing to accuse him of the act.
In response to the people’s accusation, Nero found his escape goat. He blamed the Christians for what he had done, and the persecution of the 1st century Christians quickly developed. It was under Nero that Paul was beheaded, and it was under Nero that the author of the book to which this article now turns was crucified upside down.
Peter wrote the book of 1 Peter to Christians who were experiencing times of affliction. As 1 Peter 1:3-9 was written to help these 1st century believers during their times of affliction, it will surely be an aid to you as well.
Looking to a merciful Father during times of affliction
The afflicted individual must seek to look beyond whatever it is that is bringing the affliction in his life. The more he focuses on the affliction, or whatever it is that is bringing the affliction, the more it will cause pain that he will be unable to deal with properly. Scripture says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:3). In this portion of Scripture, Paul turns the people’s gaze off of their problem and onto God.
It is possible that these people needed to know that someone cares for them. Well, they have a Father in heaven Who does. It is possible that these people had not been dealing with their affliction well and rather had responded to their times of testing by sinning against the Lord. Well, Peter tells them that the Father saved them through His abundant mercy, and there is still plenty of this mercy still currently available for them.
It is possible that their hope had died in the midst of their trial. Well, Peter reminds them that the Father saved them to a living hope, the risen Jesus. Peter knows these people need to see something other than what they are going through. He quickly establishes their need to turn their gaze upon the Father from the outset.
Looking to an inheritance during times of affliction
Times will arise when it may seem like the affliction will never end. On and on and on it goes; when it stops, nobody knows. During these times, the Christian can grow very weary and discouraged. The strength to fight for the Lord’s glory may be hard to come by. As this happens, his eyes grow dim, and it can be hard to see God. He focuses on his circumstances, and all this does is cause him to grow weaker.
Peter yet again fixes our gaze away from the affliction. He tells us to look, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). Sometimes, there can be no greater thought during times of affliction than the hope of heaven. Peter wants to develop in the people what is known as an eternal mindset. This life is not all there is. Peter seeks to establish the gaze of his struggling sheep on the hope of heaven.
In this, the Christian can see that no matter what the affliction is, it will not last forever. There will be an end, and the end will be glorious. This life is really like a drop in a bucket or, better yet, a drop in the ocean of eternity.
Looking to a purpose during times of affliction
Something that can get a believer through anything if he sees it clearly is a purpose. “Why is this happening to me?” is often the cry of the afflicted heart. While there is not a simple, one-size-fits-all response to such a cry, the Scriptures come to our aid yet again. Peter says, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7). There was a purpose to the trials of these believers. So it is with all Christians: In each and every trial, there is a purpose (James 1:2-4; Ps 119:67, 71; Rom. 5:3-5; Rom 8:28; Is. 48:10; 2 Cor. 1:3-4, 1:8-9, 4:17). Know that whatever you are currently going through, God has not left you but will carry you through it. There is a purpose for you in the midst of it all.
Looking to Jesus during times of affliction
The longing heart is revealed in the final portion of this passage. It is the heart longing to be with Jesus. Peter fixes our gaze on Christ when he says, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing…” (1 Pet. 1:8). Peter ends this portion of Scripture quite interestingly. He spent a considerable amount of time basically telling the people to look toward heaven. He tells them to look to the Father, look to the inheritance, look to the God-given/kingdom purpose, and then he says, “Look to Jesus.” But he does so by mentioning that they cannot yet see Jesus.
In all of the ways Peter tells the believer to look, he tells them to do so through the eyes of faith. One can see the Father through faith-filled eyes. One can see his inheritance and his purpose through these same eyes. One can also see Jesus through the eyes of faith.
However, there is coming a day when the Christian’s faith will be made sight. Even faith will pass away (as it says in 1 Corinthians 13). Jesus is coming back, and this should give the afflicted good reason to rejoice. Look to Jesus; He will be your hope in the midst of your affliction. Look to the Father of mercies; He will have compassion on you. Look and see all that God has in store for you and that will not fade away. Finally, look and see that there is not one minute of your day that lacks purpose in the eyes of God.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the ways that You help me each and every day. I pray that You would help me to see like You during times of affliction in my life. Help me to see You, Father, help me to see my inheritance, help me to see my purpose, and help me to see Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.