[244 words]
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you (1 Peter 4:12-14).
Scripture does not tell us that we should enjoy trials and hardships. What it does tell us is that if we suffer for our relationship to Christ that we can be assured that we will also share in His glory. Some suffering is because of our actions, some are just the facts of life and others are because we are serving God. In any case the relationship we have with Christ will help us to endure all trials that come our way.
Being patient, having endurance and steadfastness are characteristics that come from knowledge of God, knowing that He is always near. Later verses show us that we should avoid sinful ways that cause us to suffer, like evil-doing and meddling. There is no question that we will have trials that are caused by our relationship with God. They are trials that are to test us, making us better able to cope with life. We should always rejoice in the fact that God sees our needs and supplies accordingly.
Charles Willis
via Church of Christ at Curry
Jasper, AL