Do Not Be Surprised
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Are you surprised when tough times come your way? When life gets difficult, and trouble comes your way, do you find it strange?
Trials and difficulties are a part of living life in a broken and fallen world. We should not be surprised by trials, but we are often caught off guard when life is going well and suddenly hard times come our way.
The Apostle Peter exhorted the early church, saying, “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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13, ESV).
When we face hardships and trials, we share in the sufferings of Jesus. When we endure these hardships, we can enter into the joy of Christ and we can anticipate his glory revealed to us through our suffering with him.
May we not be surprised or caught off guard by what this world throws at us, and may we rejoice and anticipate God’s glory to be revealed through our hardships.
In Christ alone, Robbie
A Prayer For Our Enemies: “O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.” (#33, Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
