“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. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 & 15-16 ->me: This is a very heavy passage. When I am following Jesus (in fellowship with Him) and I come under a trial, I should 1) not be surprised that it is happening 2) understand that it is a test for me 3) see that this is not strange but normal 4) rejoice in that fact that I am sharing in Christ’s sufferings (He endured all trials I could ever encounter, during His ministry) 5) have a mindset of ‘the joy set before me’ [Heb. 12:2] in seeing my Savior return to take me home to heaven to spend an eternity with Him. The consequences of my sin are not trials that fall within what is talked about here. If I am working mischief or performing works of evil, this is not a time to rejoice, but a time to repent. So, when I suffer or experience trials as a Christian who is constantly seeking to follow Christ and a sanctified life, then I should not be ashamed, but glorify God in my suffering. This is a condition of my heart, not a behavior or mask to proudly wear; I must know in my heart that the trial I am enduring and suffering through is ultimately an avenue by which I can glorify God.
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