Fiery Trials

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. But 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. I Peter 4:12-14

Fiery trials you're having to deal with? Were we not promised fiery trials? Unpleasant to be sure. Painful. Humiliating, sometimes. Well, our Lord had to learn humility. We are not better than our Lord. We who express confidence in our faith are called arrogant, among other things, and despised for our "narrow mindedness." For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29. We share in His sufferings and will share in His glory. We WILL be insulted because of the name of Christ. "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:18-19. These are the words of Jesus Christ Himself, to His disciples. "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." I John 3:13. The thing is, our blessings in time and eternity are well worth whatever trials and hatred we endure from the world. What goes on in this dimension are but momentary discomforts, compared to the glorious life we will enjoy with our Lord and our loved ones in the heavenlies. One more thing: look around. The unbelievers don't have it so great, either, in the devil's world. Notice that? Too bad they don't have the assurances of comfort and eternal reward that Jesus has promised to us who place our trust in Him.