Don’t think it strange

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. - 1 Peter 4v12-14

I have to admit to start with that it does feel that there is a change in the wind for believers. New laws and restrictions give every indication that we may be seeing some major changes to the political freedoms and liberties that we have grown accustomed to in so many parts of the world.

A lot of Christians are asking questions? ‘Has God withdrawn His blessing?’ ‘What are we doing wrong?’ ‘What can we do to reverse this?’ We seem to think that a hard time for Christians is unusual and outside of he norm.

Of course this is not true for all believers. Our brothers and sisters in many parts of the world know nothing about Christians having a ‘most favoured people’ status. They know the reality of what Peter is writing – ‘Don’t think it strange concerning the fiery trials you are going through as though something strange has happened to you.’ Hard times for God’s children should not take us by surprise – this is the reality. As such it gives us opportunity to take part in the suffering that Christ went through for us.

Like it or not this is the norm. This is reality. It has been reality for most our history and it is the reality for many Christians today.

So why do we think it is something weird?