There’s only one God who has wounds that can speak to your wounds. There’s only God who has been through it. 
The Buddhists look at suffering as an illusion. Western secular culture looks at suffering as a curse. But Christianity looks at it as something both extremely real and far more hopeful. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, came to glory through suffering. And when you see what he went through for you, then and only then have you got a framework and a power to get through your own suffering.
In 1 Peter 1 it teaches us that 1) you’ll never be able to face suffering without knowing a lot of biblical doctrine, 2) Christians do experience grief and troubles of life, and 3) when suffering comes into your life, God hates the brokenness but uses it to teach you things he wants you to learn.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on September 26, 1993. Series: Splendor in the Furnace: 1 Peter, Part 1. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9.
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Released on 9 Feb 2026