Hope in Suffering

Peter denied Jesus three times and was filled with shame. He ran away from the identity Jesus gave him. He failed to be the rock for Jesus.

 Yet Jesus called Peter again and again and again to follow and serve God’s people. He invited Peter to care for his “lambs.” From that point on, Peter gave his life, eventually dying on a cross hanging upside down, doing what Jesus called him to do.

 Peter’s story reminds us that there is hope even in our suffering.

Hope in our suffering often comes from another person’s kindness. Jesus invited Peter to suffer for the benefit of others. God called Isaiah to comfort his people with a message of hope: “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1 CSB)

We can be the solution or at least the comfort and message of hope in someone else’s suffering. I don’t look forward to experiencing pain of any type or for any duration, but I know that once I get through it with the help of Jesus, I can comfort others because of what I experienced.

Today, look for those around you who are vulnerable, weak, and suffering. How can you participate in bringing hope to others today?

"When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?'

'Yes, Lord,' he said to him, 'you know that I love you.'

'Feed my lambs,' he told him." John 21:15