1 Peter 4:12 KJV
[12] “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”
Peter is encouraging these saints not to be alarmed by the persecution that comes into their lives. They are to think it not strange when they face trials for their faith. He reminds them as Christians, they are going to face persecution in this world. Some of that persecution may be physical, and some may be verbal. However, all persecution is mental and emotional, no matter what kind of trials we are facing. Our will may be strong, and our devotion may run deep, but the worst battles we face through trials are in our minds and emotions.
There is no doubt in modern-day America that we consider the most trivial trial that we face to be a strange thing. Anything that seems to knock us out of our comfort zone or cause us distress becomes a trial in our book. Perhaps the rest of the world would look at us as nothing more than spoiled Americans. We have lived in a pampered society for so long that we don’t know how to cope with the discomforts of life. Most of the known world today considers Americans to be wealthy. They see us as people with few problems who live in freedom and prosperity.
I understand that living in America is not without its problems, and we all face trials at one time or another. Yet, we seem to be the most apathetic and least devoted Christian society in this present world. We have seen God’s children go through great trials with grace, but we have also seen people murmur and complain about the least little discomfort of life. Having a flat tire on the way to work is not a trial. Not getting the job promotion you were praying for should not be considered a trial. Persecution for our faith or our stand for God is a trial.
The persecutions that people were facing in Peter’s day were fiery trials. Peter’s reply to them was to think it not strange. This verse causes me to reflect on my life and ask myself these questions. Am I really facing a trial for being a Christian? And is the trial that I’m facing for being a Christian a fiery trial? Perhaps even a more important question would be this, “Do I think it strange that I am facing a trial for my faith?” Lord, help me not to be so prideful that I think I should not suffer for the cause of Christ, and help me to rejoice through the trials.