A relationship rejection. A job loss. A health trial. Suffering often has a way of humbling people. After addressing shepherds, the Apostle Peter says to them and to the church that we all should humble ourselves. He does not leave us in the dark with what humility means. It first begins with grasping we are “under the mighty hand of God” (v. 6). This not only means the power of God but His provisional care. We are able to cast our anxieties and struggles on Him because He cares for us. He knows the hurt that comes from rejection. He knows the loss that comes in living life. He faced the tests of life but did not fall into the temptation of the devil. That leads to another aspect of humility for the Christian. In the midst of suffering, humility is a call to be sober-minded and to be on guard. Suffering is where we can turn inside, puff ourselves up with pride and fall into the temptation trap Satan has laid out for us. That is why the wisdom of God’s Word must be heeded. God’s Word calls for the humble in suffering to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith. God’s Word calls for the humble to understand the Christian life is not lived alone, but that there are other believers who have suffered. Their, and our, suffering is put in perspective in the guidance of God’s Word and the context of Christian community. Suffering is for a little while but glory in Christ is eternal. Still, the suffering we experience in life can hurt in the moment. That is why the encouragement that we are humbled under the mighty hand of God does not elicit a fearful reaction but a hopeful response. Because of the might of God, we can rest in the truth that Christ is the one who restores, confirms, strengthens, and establishes us. Dominion and glory belong to the Lord. If we seek to exalt ourselves when we are facing suffering, we will face humility. Yet, if we humble ourselves when we experience suffering, God will show His grace and exalt us because we have exalted the worthy one, namely Jesus Christ.

Reflection Questions:

• How are you tempted to be prideful in times of suffering?
• How can the church community help one another with humility in suffering?