It Is Better to Suffer for Doing Good

It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Peter 3:17 NIV)

Notice that Peter is admitting two things here.  First, he is admitting that if someone is suffering, it could be because they are “doing good”.  It is fantasy to believe that every bit of suffering we see in the world is payback for doing evil.  Job’s friends made this error.  Living according to God’s standards can cause problems in this sad world, sometimes bringing ridicule and sometimes persecution.  History books are filled with stories of martyrs, and anyone who sees another’s suffering must not conclude that karma is working its magic.  Following God brings its own challenges.  "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." (I Corinthians 15:19)

But Peter is also implying something else in this verse: some of the things we suffer are in fact a result of our own actions. We might find ourselves in financial straits from improper use of credit. We might find ourselves in bad health from improper lifestyles. Our family lives might be atrocious because of lack of respect.  We might find ourselves in trouble with the law for dishonesty.  It would not be “blaming the victim” to admit that.

Peter’s point is a good one.  In this world we are going to have trials and woes.  That being the case, it's better to suffer as a result of our righteousness.