“My Utmost for His Highest” is a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. I don’t use it every year but I have used it many years and have found it helpful. In light of our text for Sunday, I’m reminded of something Chambers said in essence, “It would be a sick saint that would seek suffering.” We’ll all suffer to some degree because we live in a world with a wobble but there’s no need to go looking for suffering. We suffer because the world is broken, and we are broken, and it’s the brokenness that should make us seekers of the solution. When we consider the world we live in, it’s actually amazing that we don’t suffer more! However, Peter reminds us that suffering for righteousness is a very real possibility. It seems odd that a person should suffer for doing good but it has happened and it will happen. But, “Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.” He didn’t mean you are blessed because of the suffering, he meant you are blessed despite the suffering. The suffering doesn’t minimize the blessedness. Many of you will recognize this idea from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught us about the blessedness of life in His kingdom. Despite persecution, emotional struggle, and spiritual ups and downs, if we are in Christ, we are blessed—for now and forever! Nothing, even suffering, can eliminate our blessedness in Christ. So, don’t seek suffering, but if it comes, remember—YOU ARE BLESSED!