Is it ever God’s will for his children to suffer? Without question, Christians have been suffering since the beginning of the church. Suffering comes in different forms for different reasons. Peter wrote to Christians who were beginning to be persecuted for their faith. He himself would be martyred under Nero. I have heard preachers say that God’s children can completely avoid pain in this life. Some Christians are suffering because they follow Christ. Others suffer in various ways while we serve Christ. Sometimes we suffer because of foolish choices. Peter doesn’t tell us why we suffer, but he does help us to know how to suffer: without surprise, without shame, without apology.