ON FIREY ORDEALS
Beloved, do not be surprised that [the fiery ordeal comes upon you] as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed, you may also rejoice exultantly… As a result, those who suffer in accord with God’s will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good. ~1 Peter 4:12-13;19
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CONSIDER
You have probably noted how often the writers of the Epistles begin their instructions and encouragements to believers as “beloved.” Could it be that they knew how much we needed to be reminded of our identity before considering what the Holy Spirit inspired them to say? The word “therefore” also pops up frequently and is usually a connecting word between a declaration and a behavior or mindset. Keep this in mind as we consider St. Peter’s words.
Suffering, or as described here as fiery ordeals, often comes as a surprise to us; truth be told, it’s because we don’t think we deserve any fiery ordeals. Here, St. Peter is telling us life is difficult, so rather than be surprised by it, change your perspective on it and consider the extent Christ went to in his suffering just for you. Stranger things happened to Christ than what we will ever have to endure. Christ suffered unimaginably for being the perfect Son of God; he did not deserve it! His fiery ordeal included open hostility against him, unfounded suspicions about him, mocking of his words, ridicule of his behavior, belittling his existence, and outright rejection! And that was BEFORE his arrest, trial before a kangaroo court, and his subsequent scourging, conviction, and crucifixion! So, let’s think again about the complaining and murmuring we do.
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
~St. James 1:2-3
Now, with that all in mind, beloved of God, the ones Christ suffered for, we are, therefore, to rejoice in our fiery ordeals. Rejoicing means we return to or remember who our joy is as we endure, taking in stride (alongside Jesus) our fiery trials. And St. James writes that fiery ordeals produce perseverance. When we remember who our joy is in the middle of a challenge, we are learning perseverance, and that’s a great thing to rejoice over!
A constant fidelity in small things
is a great and heroic virtue.
~St. Bonaventure
PRAY
Let’s pray for ourselves that we will persevere in all the minor and major inconveniences, interruptions, and frustrations and become the virtuous humans God has created us to be.
Lord Jesus, I can magnify fiery ordeals so much that they steal my joy; I am sorry. Holy Spirit, would you help me return to the joy of my salvation? Jesus, Help me to consider all undesirable circumstances as opportunities to unite with you. ~Amen
~I am a freelance writer. This post first appeared in a periodical.
The Maiden Warrior 