“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
This is a very tough passage to read and accept. This is a passage most people would like to just skip past, but God has it here for a reason. No one dares to skip past these verses.
How many times have you just come out of some excellent revival services at church only to be blasted by some troubles in life? The car breaks down; a child gets seriously sick; you lose your job; and your rent is due, all at the same. How frustrating is that? Often many believers will wonder why all this is happening to them. They feel they are serving God correctly and bringing Him honor, why all the trouble? Yet this occurs to every believer, even Jesus himself. Jesus said you will have troubles in this world. It is not something strange or unique to you.
Peter then tells you to rejoice as you participate in the sufferings of Christ. You must count it with joy as you go through struggles. Why would this be? All suffering (troubles) are meant for your good. They are meant to make you more like Jesus. Satan does not want you to succeed at all, he wants you to fall. He will do anything he can to make you fall; this includes bringing trouble into your life.
Jesus went through the worst of struggles, yet He went through them with joy, because He knew it was for the best. The struggles you are going through are only for your best. In the end when Jesus returns you will be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. He will get all the glory for your coming through shining as gold. You will be excited that He is glorified.
Ask God to change your heart and mind about the struggles you are going through from day-to-day. Look at them as light and momentary troubles compared to what you will get in the end. Rejoice in what you are going through.
I pray that today God will give you strength to rejoice in your struggles; that God will strengthen you to go through your struggles; that God will help you be His shining example in this world; and that God will use you to build His kingdom by your example of following Jesus.
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