1 Peter 4:12-19   Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Back in 1972, Kris Kristofferson released the song “Why Me Lord?”  He recognized that he did not deserve anything good from God because of the life he had lived, but was grateful for experiencing God’s grace in his life. I’ve tried to live with that same attitude. Kris shares a bit about the song in this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tA7E7pbUws

For most people, the question “Why Me?” is asked with a different attitude. Why did I have to get sick? Why do bad things always happen to me? Why don’t I have more blessings than I do?  We seem to think we deserve to have nothing but good things in our lives.

The passage above corrects that notion. “…do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Suffering in this life is the norm. The question we ask is whether or not it is deserved. If you have done wrong and are suffering for it, that is deserved. However, if you are suffering because you are a follower of Jesus, Peter says that is actually a blessing. Praise God that you bear His name! And continue striving to live the new life to which you have been called. Remember, those who have faith already have forgiveness and life as a gift from God. That was undeserved, but God gives it to you because of what Jesus did in your place.

I think it is interesting that the one who writes this for us is the same one who objected to Jesus saying He would have to suffer.

Matthew 16:21–23 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

The “things of God” were the life and salvation that Jesus would earn for us. He lived without sin, took our sin on Himself, and paid for it all so that we would not have to be punished eternally.

“Why me Lord? What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I’ve known? Tell me Lord, what did I ever do that was worth loving you or the kindness you’ve shown?”

We don’t deserve anything good from God. But He loves us and sent Jesus to accomplish our pardon. That’s grace.