Don’t Be Surprised
This last Sunday one of the readings at church was 1 Peter 4:12-19.
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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Those words resonated with me for perhaps obvious reasons, especially verse 12: 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. In some ways, that sounds like a description of the first part of 2023 for me. At least many would consider two cancer diagnoses within a few weeks as a “fiery trial.”
Our human response is typically to react poorly when faced with unexpected bad news. It might be a health diagnosis for ourselves or loved ones; devastating financial news; a sudden turn for the worse in a relationship; or dozens of other events we might label as disasters. We might initially be surprised, and I doubt that many of us would rejoice about any of these, but that’s what this passage tells us we should be doing. That seems like a big ask.
We tend to think in terms of fair/not fair… but we always want to be able to pick who or what our circumstances are compared to. Our natural, broken instincts are to always see those in better situations or with better outcomes, but rarely to look toward those who suffer more or endure worse circumstances. It helps us feel justified in labeling our situation as unfair.
But, as Peter writes, we should not be surprised when bad things happen to good people. At least we want to think of ourselves as good, regardless of what Jesus says. (Luke 18:19) Every day we receive is a gift from God, not because of our goodness, but because of His graciousness. He showers us with gifts (food, life, some level of health, friends, etc.) on a daily basis, but because He is so consistent and so faithful we have become used to these things and don’t see the miracles they are.
You may be in a difficult situation at this very moment. You may be afraid or angry or lonely or confused. Try, for just a moment, to look up and look around. See all the gifts God has given you. Bask in the love of a God who loves you like a son or daughter. It won’t fix your medical issues or finances or whatever you’re dealing with, but it may begin to heal your spirit. “Entrust your soul to your faithful Creator” and rest in His continuous presence in your life.