Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the fiery troubles that are coming in order to test you. Don’t feel as though something strange is happening to you, but be happy as you share Christ’s sufferings.(1 Peter 4:12-13)
I love the thought that now that I have given my heart and life to God that I am on "easy street." I love to sit back and think that when He said that "all things work for my good" - that matter is settled right there, no further discussion. I love to relish in the idea that all of life's blessings are enjoyable and that when He said He "owned the cattle on a thousand hills" that He already has mine branded for me.
You know, when I came to Christ and gave my life to Him, all of these things did happen and become true in my life, but not to the point of excess. "Easy street" doesn't mean that I have everything handed to me on a silver platter or that I have more money in the bank than I know what to do with - it means that He goes before me and that He prepares my way; It doesn't mean that I don't have to walk and follow behind Him in The Way.
When He said that he was working "all things for my good," didn't mean that sometimes things were not going to be tough and hard in my life. As I sit back and think of the trials and troubles I have encountered in life, at this point in my journey I wouldn't take anything for those times; yet, during those times I was praying for strength to endure and even grace to be pulled from those things, yet these are the things that have shaped me into the person I am today.
I read so many times throughout the Bible and I see the things that really made an impact for the Gospel and all of these things were wrought out of persecutions, trials, tribulations, and troubles of all sorts. The blessings of God were truly upon these men of God, yet they had to endure the fiery troubles of life and when they came forth - they came forth as "gold." Reading in the Old Testament, I find that it was not until the 3 Hebrew boys were in the hottest fire of their life that those around truly saw the Lord working on their behalf.
I don't know what you may be going through today, and it may be the hottest and most fiery circumstance of your life, but I want you to know that when "He" is Lord of your life - He will come through in the "fire's" of your life. He's not caught by surprise and He knows what you're made of - He will work this for your good.
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