Saints should not be surprised to experience suffering because of their association with Jesus Christ. Jesus’ suffering (at the hands of evildoers) was essential for our salvation because through his suffering (especially on the cross) Christ brought us into the very presence of God. As persons who have access to God, we are misunderstood (and hated) by those who have no access to God. Or to say it in terms of 1 Peter 1:3, the spiritually unborn cannot understand those who are born.
Instead of dismay or surprise in the face of suffering, Christians need to follow Christ’s example in how to respond to suffering (as Peter explained in 1 Peter 2:21–23). More, Christians need to recall in their suffering that Christ Jesus is victoriously exalted as King of kings. That means that their suffering is not the end of the story, but there is guaranteed glory on the other side.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,