"Beloved, do not think it is strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)
Have you ever watched a show on television or seen something in a movie and thought, "Wow, what a great life that person has"? There may have been something about that person or their life that you really liked and wished you could be like that. The problem is that television shows and movies are not reality! In the real world, things are not always so storybook perfect. Life can be difficult at times, and what we see portrayed on television and in movies is not always a true depiction of life.
When Peter wrote his first letter, there was a lot of persecution going on and Christians were even being killed for their beliefs. Peter wrote to encourage those believers and reminded them that what was happening was not some strange thing, but trials are something that everyone will face in life. While we may not be threatened by someone who wants to kill us for our beliefs, because we are living in this world we will face challenges, and as Christians, our enemy, the devil will do everything he can to stir up problems in our life.
Some Christians seem to think that you can get to a point in your spiritual development where you never have any problems and everything will always go smoothly. Unfortunately, that is not reality. The good news is that God gives us a way to successfully deal with the problems we face So when trouble comes, and it will come, don't just talk about the problems, be ready to stand in faith on God's Word, saying what God's Word says about your situation. Trouble and trials will come, but with God on our side we can always be victorious!
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)
Have you ever watched a show on television or seen something in a movie and thought, "Wow, what a great life that person has"? There may have been something about that person or their life that you really liked and wished you could be like that. The problem is that television shows and movies are not reality! In the real world, things are not always so storybook perfect. Life can be difficult at times, and what we see portrayed on television and in movies is not always a true depiction of life.
When Peter wrote his first letter, there was a lot of persecution going on and Christians were even being killed for their beliefs. Peter wrote to encourage those believers and reminded them that what was happening was not some strange thing, but trials are something that everyone will face in life. While we may not be threatened by someone who wants to kill us for our beliefs, because we are living in this world we will face challenges, and as Christians, our enemy, the devil will do everything he can to stir up problems in our life.
Some Christians seem to think that you can get to a point in your spiritual development where you never have any problems and everything will always go smoothly. Unfortunately, that is not reality. The good news is that God gives us a way to successfully deal with the problems we face So when trouble comes, and it will come, don't just talk about the problems, be ready to stand in faith on God's Word, saying what God's Word says about your situation. Trouble and trials will come, but with God on our side we can always be victorious!
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