1 Peter 4:12-13,  Dear friends, don’t regard as strange the fiery ordeal occurring among you to test you as if something extraordinary were happening to you.  Rather, to the extent that you share the fellowship of the Messiah’s sufferings, rejoice; so that you will rejoice even more when His Sh’khinah (Glory) is revealed.  

Life is full of “surprises”, surprises to us but not to God! Life can be overwhelming at times and full of one struggle or storm after the next with seemingly no relief and that really shouldn’t shock us.  The world is full of hate and strife because we know satan is on a rampage to steal, kill, and destroy, BUT we don’t need to lose our peace over it or lose our hope and faith because we also know that the Bible makes it very clear “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”  There’s a battle going on and as Peter says that isn’t something to be shocked about, in fact, it’s really the other way around.  If satan isn’t coming after you then you need to be concerned.  There are going to be mountaintops (a great time to refresh and strengthen yourself in the Lord) because if you are walking with God then valleys will also come and you want to be prepared.  Anyone who preaches or tries to tell you that if you are living for God then everything will come up roses and you can call down anything you want in life is a liar!  Can we trust God to fulfill His promises and to be there through all we may face ~ absolutely and we can count on the fact that He will use everything that happens and turn it around for good and His glory, but that doesn’t mean there will never be hard times.  Take a good look at Job and make sure if you see someone going through a rough patch that you aren’t behaving like one of his friends.  You are not the judge and jury ~ only God knows a person’s heart!

So with all of that said let’s look at what else it says here,  verse 19, “So let those who are suffering according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator by continuing to do what is good!”  When you have done what you can give it to your faithful Creator and trust that He will do what is best and good.  He wants to shine through you!  Just keep doing good and following and trusting Him!  Then in Chapter 5:6-11, “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time He may lift you up.  How all your anxieties upon Him, because He cares about you.  Stay sober, stay alert!  Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering.  You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God who is full of grace, the one who called you to His eternal glory in union with the Messiah, will Himself restore, establish, and strengthen you and make you firm.  To Him be the power forever and ever! Amen.”  He sees and He’s got your back.  I know that storms, heartaches, and trials in life can, as my daughter Danielle would say, feel as though, “this is the longest life anyone has ever lived,” but in reality life on earth is a drop in the bucket compared to eternity.  

Hold on to your faith and trust in Him!  God has a plan and He will get you through all that comes your way if you will stay close by His side.  This would not be a time to wander off, I would encourage you to continue to draw close to Him.  Never settle for where you are in your walk with Him.  Dig deep and trust that on the other side of all of this, His best is yet to come!