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, ...