1 Peter 5:1 I appeal as… a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
1 Peter 2:21 to this (suffering for doing good) you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 4:16 if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:12 Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6 In this (living hope of soon-coming glorification) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 2:19 for it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 1 Peter 2:20 If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
1Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed (rewarded by God’s pleasure in you and therefore happy together with God). "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 1 Peter 3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 4:15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
1 Peter 4:19 so then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, (the one who tempts you to be anxious so that he can destroy you with worry) standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
To sum up…
When you, a Christian, suffer, (whether persecution or illness or loss) fight against feeling shocked, afraid, anxious, ashamed, or singled out. (Our natural temptations)
In faith, fight for joy by fixing your mind on fellowship with Jesus in suffering making it your will / desire, because it seems to be his will for you.
Then decide to hope in glorification with Christ, a time when the desert-experience of this life is over and we enter our promised-land with him. Keep doing these right things, maintaining this right perspective even if it still hurts.
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I think that we ought to have hope in God's glorification not only for "when the desert-experience of this life is over and we enter our promised-land with him", but also for His glorification for the here and now. Since our suffering is certainly within His sovereign plan, my hope is that many of our sufferings can also bring Him glory here on earth. Specifically, I hope that the changes that He makes in me through suffering with Him can be used to change others and allow them to see Christ in and through me.
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