"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."
1 Peter 4:12, ESV
What is it that compels believers to follow Christ for a lifetime? Is it all the blessings and abundance God brings? While God provides and blesses, every Christian will go through both trying and good times.
The quality of our expectations will heavily determine the attitude we will carry throughout. If you walk into a movie with high expectations for it to be packed with action, but everyone knows you're walking into a drama flick, you'll most likely walk out disappointed.
Setting expectations for Christian living is more vital than setting expectations for a movie, that's for sure. As Christians, what do we expect out of a life lived in Christ?
Jesus has always placed a high emphasis on the call to follow Him. Over and over again in scripture, He called various people to leave behind all their cares and chase after Him wholeheartedly. And as rewarding as following Jesus can be in many ways, there is also a cost. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24b, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (ESV).
So many people come into Christianity expecting their problems to go away overnight and for the world to now exist in technicolor. While God has every intention of strengthening you from the inside so you can battle with the struggles that come from the outside, even Jesus said that because we exist in this world, there will be trials and tribulations (John 16:33).
In 1 Peter 4:12b, the apostle Peter goes as far as to say this: "Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you" (ESV). This verse truly revolutionised the way I looked at life. Basically, Peter was saying that as believers, trial is now expected and that it could even be our new normal.
Sure, revival, restoration and blessings will come, but so will problems. Because we are still part of a broken world even after being added into the kingdom of God, we experience the same trials, hardships, hunger and weariness as others. Jesus experienced the same hardships we do when He came to earth. He got hungry, tired and sometimes even frustrated, but in all of that He came out having no sin and still living a victorious life.
Jesus' life here on earth is living proof that we can walk in His victory too if we continue to walk in Him. Always expect fiery trial to come to you, but more importantly expect that because you are now part of God's family, you don't have to face trial alone. Jesus will go with you.
