1 Peter 4:12
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you”.
On occasion our circumstance become so difficult, that we feel out of control. We panic, we seek to fix things. That’s fine. Sometimes things turn around quickly. Unless we caused the error, we trust Him with our life circumstances. Even if we did cause it, He can still turn it for the best. As our lives are committed to Him, we trust that He will not “lead us into temptation” or any other bad thing. Proverbs 3:5,6 speaks of Him directing our paths. At times it’s sweetness and light. Other times it’s “the valley of the shadow of death”.
Trusting Him in the dark times is difficult. Trusting means we can be still and know that He is in control. Sometimes we are busy. It’s then we need to be still at heart; no racing heart or anxiety.
Peter gives the description that’s common, we’re “surprised”. We’re shocked to be going through it. We will have such times. This is a good verse to remember. It takes faith. I don’t think we will ever stop being shocked. What will change is how quickly we accept and enter into His peace. The surprised response is a good reminder to look to Him.
Most trials seem to work themselves out in a few days. These help build our faith. However they can last longer. That is Him bringing us through endurance tests. He is deepening our character and strengthening our faith.
He won’t give us more than we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). It may feel like it. We need to follow all of His advice. We stay in His Word, prayer, fellowship and ministry. We continue to look up.
Lord, thank You that You are commited to us and our character and our future. Thank You that You use circumstances to work that in us. Help us to trust You and not be surprised.