From Suspension to Resolve
by Yuri Solomon

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations “(1Peter 1:6)

It is human nature to evade avoidable suffering; and rightly so I should say. Yet it remains a fool's quest to avoid what is inevitable, and folly to not prepare as much as possible. Jesus insisted that suffering is in the pathway of every Christian. However, we often find ourselves in suspension about suffering rather than resolve. Our minds are fixated on immediate deliverance and not so much on God's will and purpose. Peter later in this chapter said, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end"(1Peter 1:13). In other words, mentally accept where you are, and prepare to endure the journey in such a time.

Peter gives four mental resolves about the believer's suffering: it's a temporary situation; it's a necessary path, it's tough to endure, and it's tempting to give up.

When one comes to this expectation of those times of Christian hardship, it adds a confidence in the will of God, a view to suffering's end, an awareness of the challenges, and a strength to persevere.

A suspension is to leave hanging, in limbo, unsure, unresolved, but to resolve is to place it firmly on the ground: "This is what I have to do."

After much prayer and anguish Jesus resolved, "Not my will but your will be done".

“My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels.” C.H. Spurgeon

Yuri Solomon holds degrees from Gospel Ministry Outreach Theological Institute and the College of Biblical Studies. He is author of the book Biblical Masculinity. More info @ www.wordtalkonline.org
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