Preparing for Suffering: Hope in Christ's Return

In a world marked by tragedy and personal hardships, how can we as believers maintain hope and live faithfully? Recent national events and individual struggles have brought the reality of suffering into sharp focus. Yet even in dark times, we have a profound source of hope - the promised return of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter offers timely wisdom for enduring trials while anticipating Christ's coming. He calls us to "set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13). This hope in Christ's return isn't just wishful thinking. It's a transformative lens through which we interpret our present circumstances.

When Jesus returns, he will fully consummate the grace given to us in salvation. Every wrong will be made right. Every injustice rectified. For those bearing burdens or facing persecution, this promise sustains us. Our King is coming, and he will establish his reign of righteousness and peace.

But how should we live as we await that day? Peter outlines four key practices:

1. Be Prepared for Anything

Using vivid imagery, Peter exhorts us to prepare our minds for action - to "gird up the loins of your mind" as some translations put it. Like an ancient person hitching up their robe to move quickly, we must be mentally ready for whatever comes.

This isn't about stockpiling supplies out of fear. Rather, it means deciding ahead of time how we'll respond when suffering lands in our lap. Will affliction diminish our hope? Will pain stop us from believing? We must plant our flag now and determine that our faith is fixed, come what may.

2. Exercise Sound Judgment

Peter calls us to be "sober-minded." This goes beyond mere temperance to encompass mental alertness and discernment. We must keep our wits about us, especially when pain threatens to cloud our judgment.

There's a real danger of becoming spiritually drowsy, lulled to sleep by the comforts of this world. We can lose sight of God's promises and Christ's return. But as Paul reminded the Thessalonians, "You are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief" (1 Thessalonians 5:4). As children of light, we're called to stay awake and alert.

This is a clarion call, especially for men who've been sidelined by a culture that often scorns masculinity. It's time to "roll up your sleeves and screw your head on straight." God has given men a responsibility to lead - in homes, communities, and churches. We must exercise godly dominion, not in abusive ways, but following Christ's servant leadership.

3. Practice Self-Control

As "obedient children," we're called to self-control motivated by our relationship with our heavenly Father. This means refusing to be conformed to our former passions or pressed into the world's mold of thinking.

The Christian life isn't passive. While we depend on the Holy Spirit, God expects us to actively control our desires rather than letting them control us. When temptation calls or the flesh entices toward unbelief, we must exercise Spirit-empowered self-control.

This often plays out in spiritual disciplines - what the Reformers called the "ordinary means of grace." Daily Scripture intake, prayer, and weekly rhythms of Sabbath and worship may seem boring to the world. But for believers, they're life-sustaining joy and powerful weapons against our spiritual enemies.

Don't pull back from these practices when suffering intensifies. Lean into them harder. They bring us into transformative contact with Christ and anchor us in truth that sets us free.

4. Separate from Sin

Finally, we're called to holiness: "As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" (1 Peter 1:15). This calling is grounded in God's own nature and the Scriptures. It encompasses all of life - separating from past sins and submitting our future to God's authority.

In light of Christ's return, Peter asks, "What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:11). When the world is racked with suffering, it's tempting to think, "If I'm going to suffer anyway, what difference does it make how I live?" But we must resist this lie.

Instead, let's agree with Scripture and with each other to stop sinning and pursue holiness. This isn't just about personal piety. Living righteously mitigates much unnecessary suffering in our own lives. It also prevents us from causing pain to others through our sin.

Jesus told a powerful parable about staying ready for his return: "Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap" (Luke 21:34). He calls us to stay awake and pray for strength to endure.

Living in Light of Christ's Return

As we navigate a world of suffering while awaiting Christ's return, let's take these exhortations to heart:

- Put our heads on straight and roll up our sleeves, ready for action.
- Stay mentally alert, exercising sound judgment.
- Practice self-control, leaning into spiritual disciplines.
- Separate from sin, pursuing holiness in all of life.

Whether we find ourselves on the mountaintop or in the valley of the shadow of death, may we cling to the hope of Christ's return. Let's repent of worldly attitudes and appetites that don't reflect our identity in Christ. Instead, may we shine brightly as salt and light in a dark world.

Our King is coming. May we be found faithful when he returns, hearing those longed-for words: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Let's encourage one another with this hope as we see the Day drawing near.