“Think it not Strange”

I Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you...

Amp: Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.

As we go through life we have hardship come to us. It may be because we have sinned, it may be because someone else sinned, or it may not have to do with sin at all.

If it is because we have sinned, then we can understand the results of that sin, and the trouble we may get into. But, many times things happen that we do not understand. We cry out to God and say “WHY”. Why has this happened to me, why am I suffering like this and we act like we have no clue and we think as in the verses above, we are amazed and think it strange.

We must be ready and not be caught unaware of the things that we will experience. If we are not ready and a trial comes we will give up. We will be so shocked that we may fall away from God. Blaming Him for what we are going through. Hardships come and I would never say that anyone is bad because they ask “WHY”, but we need to understand we are not alone. We do not walk through this life alone. We need to cry out to God. But if we are not prepared we might fall away.

You are not alone in life, others have suffered like you and even more than you, but be encouraged and you can even be happy.

I Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye...

I Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

I Peter 2:20 For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

James 1:2(amp) Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Heb 11:25 (Moses) choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season.

II Cor 11:23-28 Read this and ask yourself have I suffered like this?

Have you suffered like Jesus? Just read about what He went through.

We do not even know what suffering is. We think if someone says something against us that is suffering.

I John 3:13(marvel not) Do not be surprised & wonder, brethren, that the world detests & pursues you with hatred

Sometimes God does bring adversary.

I King 11:14 & 23 The Lord stirred up an adversary... vs23 and the Lord stirred him up another adversary.

Isaiah 30:20-21 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction...

Sometimes it is because of others.

I Peter 4:19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God’s will must do right and commit their souls (in charge as a deposit) to the One Who created (them) and will never fail (them)

Just remember that hard times will come but even when we suffer and it was not by anything that we did he is faithful and he will not fail us. He is always there for us and He will always bring us through. He wants us to cast our cares on Him, He wants us to cry out to Him, to look to Him alone. Do not try and make it through your hard times alone. He will never leave you!!! Or forsake you!!!