WATCHWORD:
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (Proverbs 11:31) 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:12-19
Meditation:
Adversity as Grace
I was reading a brief essay recently about the Wright brothers and their journey to conquer human flight. They never had it easy. Countless failures, money woes, being ridiculed by friends and strangers, not to mention serious injuries. Yet the brothers weren’t stopped by the trials they faced. Orville Wright was quoted as saying “No bird soars in a calm.”
The Wright’s biographer, David McCullough, commented that adversity can often be exactly what you need to give you a lift higher. He went on to say that the Wright’s joy “was not getting to the top of the mountain. They found joy in the climbing.”
The apostle Peter taught a similar spiritual principle to the persecuted early church. He told them, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you” (1 Peter 4:12). This wasn’t a denial of suffering’s pain, because Peter knew that hope in Christ grows our trust in God.
That thought is especially true when we suffer for being a believer in Jesus in today’s world. The call for mercy, and charity is too often drowned out by hatred and insults. Peter went on to say, “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.’ (1 Peter 4:13-14)
How about you? Does adversity throw you off stride? It is hard for us to see how a difficult diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one, or an accident that forces a change in the calendar, can be a positive. It is often after the pain subsides that we begin to see the real hand of God. Our loving God uses our adversity to raise us to new heights. So be it.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, grant me the inner strength to face the challenges that lie ahead. Help me find the courage to navigate through the darkest moments of my life. Illuminate my path with your divine light and guide me towards the solutions I seek. When doubt and fear cloud my mind, fill me with unwavering faith and confidence. Let me draw upon the wellspring of resilience within me, knowing that I am capable of overcoming any obstacle. Grant me the wisdom to navigate these challenges, the courage to face them, and the faith to know that you are with me every step of the way. Help me find solace in your love and protection. Thank you for your unwavering support. Amen.
