People don't like suffering. That's quite understandable. But the reality is that suffering is going to happen. If we live godly lives, we are going to suffer. It's unavoidable as long as we live in the world.
A lot of Christians try to avoid suffering by creating a small enclave of like-minded Christians in which to hide. But, as Peter points out, how are you going to do that and still "be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you"? A lot of people take that verse out of context and provide it as justification for starting arguments. That is not what Peter is saying. He is saying that if you live a godly life, other will see it and challenge you on it. If you look at verse 16, your answer is to be given with "courtesy and respect" so that others will not be turned off by your message.
Too often I see Christians, when they feel uncomfortable, going out of their way to make a spectacle of their faith. They are obnoxious and in their obnoxiousness they think they are following God's command. They aren't. The purpose of the command is to provide an explanation for why you allow yourself to suffer due to your godly lifestyle. It isn't to force others to make it so you don't suffer anymore. God uses our suffering. We shouldn't be so eager to remove the suffering from our lives.
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