When reading the words of Peter in 1 Peter 4:12 it should cause an alarm to go off in your head.  Peter said, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”  The next verse is even more alarming.  Verse 12 alone though should make the hair on your neck stand on end.  Peter said do not think it weird if you are in the middle of heavy trail.  This is not a strange thing that has happened to you.

That is some tough words to swallow.  There are times when we do not know up from down and left from right.  Life can get so difficult that sometimes we can not figure out whether we are coming or going.  When life gets that complicated or fiery, Peter is there telling us to not think it strange.  Meaning fiery trials are to be a part of our everyday life. 

Flip Peter’s statement and you could say that you should think it strange if you are not going through a fiery trial.  Peter is telling us that being in a fiery trial should be more common to us than not being in a fiery trial.  The reason for this is because to be followers of Jesus means we have to follow in His footsteps.  If we want to follow Christ we will have to go through trials just like He did.  Jesus had to face the devil alone in the wilderness. 

What is the appeal to Christianity then?  If we have to suffer and go through fiery trials, then why even be a Christian?  For beginners, we know that even though we face fiery trials we never face them alone.  God is always with us.  He is an ever-present help in a time of trouble.  That does not mean it hurts less or it is any easier.  It just means we are not walking this way alone.

Peter tells us why we can endure the fiery trials of life.  Verse 13 says, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”  Not only should we expect fiery trials, but we should rejoice in them.  This may seem crazy but finish reading what Peter said.  He said that if we partake of Christ’s sufferings, then when His glory is revealed, or Christ comes back, we will be glad with exceeding joy.  When you partake of Christ’s sufferings through your fiery trials, you will rejoice with Him in heaven.  Love the fiery trials you are surrounded with for soon they will be your joy.