doubt about the question of whether it is ever the will of God that we should suffer. He speaks of those who suffer “according to the will of God.” This text means that suffering itself is part of the sovereign will of God. Earlier in his epistle, Peter spoke of the fruit of our suffering: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is