Facing Hardship with Jesus (1 Peter 2:18-25)

Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? It’s frustrating. It’s unfair. And—believe it or not—you’re in good company.

Jesus knows exactly what that feels like.

Over the last 30 years, I’ve learned something that has helped me through hard times: Suffering with Jesus has purpose.

Unjust Suffering Is Real

Peter was writing to Christians who were going through real suffering. Some were even servants with harsh masters. And here’s what he told them:

“It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.” (1 Peter 2:19)

In other words, just because you’re suffering doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Sometimes, doing the right thing leads to hardship.

Peter reminds us that God sees when we endure pain for doing good. And He honors it.

Jesus Is Our Example

“Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Think about that. Jesus—who never sinned—suffered unjustly. He didn’t fight back. He didn’t retaliate. He didn’t yell or threaten. Instead, He trusted God to bring justice.

That’s the path He invites us to follow: Not the path of payback. But the path of patience, humility, and trust.

When we suffer, we reflect Jesus most clearly when we respond like He did.
Not with anger—but with grace. Not with revenge—but with hope.

His Wounds Healed Us

Peter goes deeper:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross… by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Jesus didn’t just suffer to show us how to suffer. He suffered to save us.

• His pain became our healing.
• His wounds brought us back to God.

Peter says we were like lost sheep—but now we’ve come back to the Shepherd.
And here’s the good news: We are never alone again.

What Difference Does This Make?

Knowing all this changes what we live for.

We don’t live for revenge—we live for righteousness. We don’t suffer alone—we suffer under the care of the Good Shepherd.

So if you’re going through something hard right now, I want you to know:

• You are seen.
• You are loved.
• You are not alone.

Jesus has been there.
He knows your pain.
And He walks with you in it.

My prayer is simple:

That your suffering would draw you closer to Jesus. And that it would deepen your trust in the One who gave everything for you.

You have a Shepherd.

And He’s not going anywhere.