To Encourage You

1 Peter 4:12-13 “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.”

One of the greatest blessings of the Bible is how it speaks to us in times of trial.  It addresses the most difficult circumstances of life head-on. It has the answers to our deepest needs. 

Notice how the verse above speaks to those who are in the midst of a “fiery trial.”  And isn’t that a perfect term for such things?  Can you think of any more painful thing than to be burned by fire?  What an apt description for the deepest and darkest times in life.  Yet to the believer who is facing such a time, God’s Word to us is “do not be surprised! This isn’t some strange thing that is happening to you!  You aren’t all alone. No matter how you feel and no matter what you think, there are others that have suffered the very same kind of thing. In fact, at this very moment there are many others all over the world who are suffering such things.” 

How aware I’ve been of this over the last nine years as I’ve accompanied my father to Geisinger Medical Center in his battle with lung cancer.  How it opens your eyes to see that large parking lot filled with cars.  What a message that “you’re not the only one!” 

Nevertheless, it can still seem like you’re the only one when the trial hits your life.  But then these words from the God Who sees all.  He tells us that this very personal trial has a purpose.  It is to test you.  It’s not a random event. You’re not forgotten. You’re not abandoned. No, God is very much in this thing with you.  He has specifically allowed this thing, whatever it is, into your life to test you. And it’s not so He will somehow find out what we’re made of. He already knows. It’s for us to see the truth about ourselves.  How strong is our faith, really?  Do we believe God really loves us? Do we trust Him with the outcome?  Do we have the attitude of the saints who’ve gone before us, like Job who could say “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15), or of Paul, who said, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39), or of Habakkuk who said “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-19)? 

Do we realize that even Christ suffered just like we suffer? He’s someone that understands what we are going through, for He’s most certainly been where we are.  And do we realize that this trial, no matter what it is, has a limit that God, in His mercy and love, has placed on it.  Do we believe that it is better for us that we pass through this fire?  Do we know that there is most definitely coming a time when we will “rejoice and be glad” for through it all “His glory (will be) revealed?” That’s the absolute truth, for even in this fire, no, especially in this fire, our Great Shepherd is gently leading us. 

May God help us to know that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4), for that’s the actual truth, no matter how it may seem.