do not be surprised

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 .

1 Peter 4:12-14 NIV

facing the test

A beautiful mystery greets me these late summer mornings, as I drive to work under skies still shifting from black to gray. As the cooling air of approaching fall meets the sun-warmed soil, a shroud of fog drifts over low-lying areas. Each dip and sunken spot near the roadside brims with mist, waiting for the rising sun to melt it away. I am indoors again before the last of the fog recedes, but I can picture those same valleys brimming with golden light, their glory revealed by the coming day.

Beloved, we are walking through a time in history that is rife with fear, confusion, division, and hostility. When we wake each morning, the uncertainty of what kind of world will greet us messes with our equilibrium. The weight of dealing with this imbalance day after day wears down our resolve. The unrest in our government, workplaces, social circles, and even in the last place we’d think to find it—our churches—is exacerbated by our seeming powerlessness, and we are tempted toward despair. Far from seeing the beauty in the mystery, it can feel dark and distressing. We long for those days in which we could take a free breath, unhindered by the oppressive gloom that stalks our every step.

Navigating a hostile world while bearing the light of Christ is not for the faint of heart. If anyone would have some hard-earned wisdom for our situation, surely Peter would. His intimate view of the power and insight Jesus manifested splintered into agony as he watched his mentor and friend nailed to a Roman cross. What dark days those must have been, as he waited in bitter shame and uncertainty. And then, much too soon after Jesus resurrected and ascended into heaven, Peter lost brother after brother to the same martyr’s death that would one day claim his own life. Yes, surely Peter had the authority to speak on such things.

So does he advise his hearers how to escape from their trials, or train them in how to resist their persecutors? Not exactly. Don’t be surprised by what’s happening, he tells them, as if we haven’t been preparing for this all along. This is just what Jesus told us was coming.

Don’t be surprised … REJOICE!

Ummm … what?

It’s almost as if Peter is speaking to us: Don’t be surprised by plagues and pandemics, natural disasters, governmental oppression, divisions between brothers, wars, and rumors of wars … Remember what Jesus said?

“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

Then [Jesus] said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. …

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:9-12, 28 NIV

Don’t be surprised, but rejoice.

But why?!?

Because you are participating in the sufferings of Christ!

Though ours may be only “light and momentary troubles” when compared to the agony faced by our precious Lord Jesus, somehow He has determined to count them toward His glory (see 2 Cor. 4:17). While we do not equate our sufferings with those of our persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide, each of us does have a cross to bear. In this broken world, every person has known and will know suffering, to some extent. It should not surprise us … nor can we allow it to break us.

choosing to rejoice

For in this suffering, Beloved—in this turmoil and distress and confusion—we must choose to rejoice. And as we lift our voices in praise to the One who calls us His own, our faith is strengthened, and His victory becomes ours. 

There will be many who don’t understand such an attitude, who question and mock and revile. So Peter goes on: If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

How amazing is that?! The blessing of God’s glory and Spirit resting on us, simply for walking out His light through our sufferings? What a gift, friend! What beautiful grace.

For now, the fog still hovers. What will be, has not yet been revealed (see 1 John 3:2). But in just a moment—truly a moment, in view of eternity!—the light of the morning will come. “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings …” (Malachi 4:2 NASB). And when He rises, Beloved—our glorious Son of Righteousness—we who have suffered now, for a little while, will be among those called by His name. We, who have shared in and rejoiced in His sufferings, will be overjoyed when His glory is revealed!

Hold on to hope, friends, and keep looking up!