We all know that suffering is an inescapable part of our life. How should we react in the midst of suffering? We need to realize that our suffering and trials are some of the most powerful tools God uses in our lives for His glory and our good. The thought of suffering doesn't have to cripple us because we serve a good and all-powerful God who loves and cares for us. 

Acts 4:1-33 provides us a proper response when hard times come. As we participate in God’s mission, he uses our suffering in powerful ways to bring Him glory and encourage His people.

Chapter 4 begins as a continuation of the events we see in Acts 3. Peter had healed a lame man at the temple and all the people were amazed to see the power of God on display. The formerly lame man is now jumping up and down and worshipping God with all his heart. This miracle got the people’s attention. It provided Peter with an amazing opportunity to proclaim the gospel of Jesus.

We see in Acts 4:1-3 that God’s miracle that day got others attention as well, and these religious leaders weren’t as receptive to the message. 

These guards and religious leaders arrested Peter and John. At first glance, This seems like it throws cold water on the impact the amazing miracle in Acts 3. But, then we see those words in verse 4.

⁴ But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Look what God did. Thinking back through the book of Acts, the church started with 120 disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost-- after Peter’s first sermon, a couple thousand trusted Christ, and then Peter preaches again in the temple courts and another three thousand repented and committed to follow Jesus.

We also realize that, even when God moves in mighty ways, even when we commit ourselves to share the hope of Christ, it doesn’t take away the possibility of suffering and trials.

Here are a few ways we can respond in the midst of suffering:

• Remember our suffering is real, but God never wastes it.

The first opposition to the church didn’t take very long, and it came from the same Jewish leaders who killed Jesus. Sometimes we need a reminder that the suffering we face isn’t something our Lord didn’t face himself.

Like we see from the apostles here, God uses our suffering grow our faith and bring others to Him. God never wastes it.

you need to know that suffering doesn’t mean you are far from God. Many times, quite the opposite. Many times, you are following God to the letter, and bad things still happen. We need to learn from the Apostles example that nearness to God doesn’t equate to decreased suffering. Instead, we need to cling to the truth that is in complete control, that he cares for us deeply, and seeks to use our suffering as a way to depend on Him for our satisfaction as He brings us closer to Him. I pray God uses suffering this way in your life.

• In the midst of your suffering, point others to the work of Jesus. 

Many times, our suffering and trials will offer us a golden opportunity to proclaim the truth about Jesus. People know that it is easy to follow someone, it’s easy to trust God when times are good, but what about what they aren’t? Do we still proclaim that God loves us even in the hard times? People will watch us and they will remember it. 

I have a couple of friends who have lost their jobs because of the economic fallout from Covid-19. The way they have reacted has been such a testament. While it’s hard, they haven’t blamed God or turned bitter toward their former employer, but they have shown an unwavering faith in God to take care of them.

Through their confidence in God’s goodness and provision, others have noticed. One friend said it’s opened up meaningful conversations with neighbors who normally just say "hello" in passing. The neighbors have been blown away by their calmness and confidence in God. The neighbors are now asking questions about their faith in God. Only God can produce that kind of reaction, that kind of faith. Remember God will use our trials in mighty ways.

• Take heart because no one can deny the testimony of a transformed life. 

Our story is so important, because, like the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. People often disagree with our message, people have their doubts, but no one can argue against a transformed life.

This is so important when we talk about sharing our faith. We must point to the truth, we must share the truth of Jesus and the fact that everyone must repent and believe the gospel of Jesus, but we also need to share our story. No one can deny the fruit of a transformed life.

In Acts 4, the early church responded to opposition with integrity and boldness and could do nothing else but testify to all that God had done. His work was unmistakable and no one could deny God's power on display. 

• Use your suffering to encourage others in God’s family who will surely suffer as well.

As the people hear about the power of God working through Peter and John, they immediately praise God in prayer. 

In Acts 4:25-26, the people point to David’s words in Psalm 2:1-2. Over a thousand years earlier God told his people that the Messiah would be rejected the rulers of land. All that had happened didn’t take God by surprise. For us, this is why we cling to God’s Word. It reveals God character to us. Hearing these words bring comfort for them and for us. This shows us that God is in complete control.

God used John and Peter’s boldness in the midst of suffering as an example for the rest of the church. “Grant that your servants (that all of us) may speak your name with boldness.” (Acts 4:29)

The church wasn’t naïve. They knew what it meant, what it cost, to take a stand for Christ. They were getting a taste of it through Peter and John’s ordeal. As the scriptures portray, it got worse for the first century believers.

All in all, the church prays for God’s mission to succeed above their comfort. In this hostile first-century context, having more boldness meant more gospel preaching, but that preaching would inevitably put believers in difficult circumstances. In their mission, then, the church prayed for boldness and perseverance rather than comfort. They knew Jesus was worth more than their lives.

We must understand like this early church did, that following Christ will cost us. We may not lose our lives like many of these early believers did, but following Jesus costs us our time and our resources. We choose to invest in others and in the life of the church, instead of merely living for ourselves. We believe in absolute truth when the whole world says truth is what you make it, We believe in a God who can’t turn a blind eye to sin when the rest of the world doesn’t see it as a big deal. If we choose to speak out and let others know that’s where we stand, it will cost us in the world we live in. Are we willing to embrace that?

This is what it means to be a Christian. Notice, the believers didn’t say, good job Peter and John, that’s great what you did. No! They knew it was also their calling to be a disciple, to participate in God’s mission. Acts 4:31 says the people were all filled with the Holy Spirit to speak for Christ boldly.

Embrace your suffering and trials, because God won’t waste them, he will use it for His glory and to encourage others who will certainly face it too.

How can you respond this week?

Questions to ponder: 

• Do you realize that your suffering is a powerful tool God uses for His glory and for His mission to bring those far from God near to Him? How does this truth transform how you react to suffering?

• Do you understand your calling as a follower of Christ not to be merely a spectator but a participant is what God is doing? Are you participating in His mission by investing in God's work to transform the lives of those around me?