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
When suffering hits, our instinct is to say, Why me? But Peter says, Why are you surprised? Fiery trials are part of following Jesus, not a sign of failure but of fellowship.
Rejoicing in suffering does not mean pretending pain is not real. It means recognizing that we are not alone in the fire. Jesus walked through it first, and He walks through it with us now.
There is no shame in suffering for Christ. The real shame, Peter says, is abandoning our witness or living in sin. If we suffer, do it as one who bears His name faithfully, joyfully, humbly.
Jesus, thank You that we never walk through trials alone. When the fire comes, help us to rejoice, not retreat. Let our suffering reflect Your glory and strengthen our witness.
Rejoicing in Trials,
eep
