No Surprise

 “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

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Most of the time when adversity, hardship, and trials come upon me, I initially feel shock, betrayal, and rejection. I think, “Why is this happening to me? This shouldn’t be happening.” Why am I surprised? Why do I think this is a strange occurrence? These trials are meant to test me, the way steel is tested for strength and hardness. Tensile tests determine steel’s ability to withstand pulling forces before breaking. Hardness tests assess steel’s resistance to indentation. A fiery ordeal coming upon me is testing my ability to withstand breaking and indentation.

Additionally, steel is hardened by fiery trial. It is heated to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, it is held at that target temperature for a period of time, and then the heat is quenched by rapidly cooling the steel in water or oil, followed by tempering it through another round of heating and cooling. When I am placed in the heat of a trial, I am being strengthened. Steel knives are rated by their toughness, edge retention, and resistance to corrosion. Trials are designed to produce toughness in me, to help me keep a sharp edge, and to resist sin’s corrosive effect.

Finally, it’s no surprise that fiery ordeals come into my life because suffering is the way of Christ. Living a cruciform life—a life shaped by the cross—means participating in the sufferings of Christ. We are not exempt from suffering. It is the path we follow as we follow Christ. And a path that includes suffering actually leads to rejoicing because when Your glory is revealed, Lord Jesus, I will be overjoyed. For then, every trial will be over and I will spend eternity with You.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the trials that come. May they be no surprise to me. Instead, may they produce in me a strength and a hardness to withstand the pressure and the forces I will face in this life and to be prepared for the glory of Your kingdom when it is revealed.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!


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