Day 9 - Don't Be Surprised
By Pastor Tim Escamilla
1 Peter 4:12-13
12 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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
There have been many times in which I'm going through a trial, and for some reason, I'm surprised as I'm going through it. The cycle is that something happens, and then I get surprised and overwhelmed. Has this ever happened to you? Does this happen to you?
I am encouraged by the word of God here in this passage as it relates to trials. Peter is encouraging us to not be surprised when the trial comes upon us. Rather, his encouragement is for us to see the trial for what it is: a test. What we should see the next time we go through a trial, is the EAS blue screen that stops our lives for a couple of seconds every now and then. And we can be reminded as we often are with those sweet words, "This is only a test."
The Lord wants us to know that these trials aren't supposed to be strange to us. We're supposed to be familiar with these trials because they're only meant to prove how true, pure, and strong our faith is. Trials are supposed to reveal how genuine our faith is!
Peter doesn't end there. He encourages us to, instead of being surprised, rejoice as we go through the trials. When we go through trials, we share in Christ's sufferings. But we have great hope, because after (and even during) the trial, we will be glad as His glory is revealed! Trials aren't surprising to us because they will lead to God's glory! Rather than being afraid of trials, we should be expectant to see the glory of God in them!
Pray with me:
"Heavenly Father, I thank You that I don't have to be surprised when trials come my way. Thank You that I don't have to be afraid of trials! I ask that You help me to see trials for what they are: a test. Thank You that they are only a test. I praise You that trials invariably lead to Your glory. Thank you. Help me to not be afraid nor surprised when trials come my way. Let my faith be tested and shown as genuine. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name, amen!"
1 Peter 4:12-13
12 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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
There have been many times in which I'm going through a trial, and for some reason, I'm surprised as I'm going through it. The cycle is that something happens, and then I get surprised and overwhelmed. Has this ever happened to you? Does this happen to you?
I am encouraged by the word of God here in this passage as it relates to trials. Peter is encouraging us to not be surprised when the trial comes upon us. Rather, his encouragement is for us to see the trial for what it is: a test. What we should see the next time we go through a trial, is the EAS blue screen that stops our lives for a couple of seconds every now and then. And we can be reminded as we often are with those sweet words, "This is only a test."
The Lord wants us to know that these trials aren't supposed to be strange to us. We're supposed to be familiar with these trials because they're only meant to prove how true, pure, and strong our faith is. Trials are supposed to reveal how genuine our faith is!
Peter doesn't end there. He encourages us to, instead of being surprised, rejoice as we go through the trials. When we go through trials, we share in Christ's sufferings. But we have great hope, because after (and even during) the trial, we will be glad as His glory is revealed! Trials aren't surprising to us because they will lead to God's glory! Rather than being afraid of trials, we should be expectant to see the glory of God in them!
Pray with me:
"Heavenly Father, I thank You that I don't have to be surprised when trials come my way. Thank You that I don't have to be afraid of trials! I ask that You help me to see trials for what they are: a test. Thank You that they are only a test. I praise You that trials invariably lead to Your glory. Thank you. Help me to not be afraid nor surprised when trials come my way. Let my faith be tested and shown as genuine. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name, amen!"
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