"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"
1 Peter 4:12
This is similar to 1 Corinthians 10:13, which tells us "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man." ... And on one hand I think it is comforting to know that temptations and trials happen to other people, even the ones that seem super unique to us. It means that other people can relate, and maybe even help. On the other hand, knowing that someone else has suffered similarly doesn't necessarily make it easier.
One thing that does help, I think, is knowing that God knows how to solve the problem. 1 Corinthians 10:13 continues, explaining that God always makes a way to escape, and makes our burdens possible to bear. Because Christ suffered for us, he really does know what it is like to be in our shoes, and how to comfort us, and help us know how to get through it.
Another thing that helps, at least for me, is realizing that it is "not strange," and by that I mean not just that this one has happened before, but remembering that trials and temptations are a normal, expected part of life. We go through life sometimes thinking that it is supposed to be smooth and untroubled--but that isn't the way life is supposed to be at all. This is a training ground to teach us how to handle a body, which is a huge undertaking all by itself, and then also to figure ourselves out as a spirit and body combination... and help others with all of the above as well. Trials are part of the deal. The combination of knowing that they are coming, and knowing that we *can* get through them... I think that is what helps.
Today, let's remember that trials (even the fiery ones) are not strange, but pretty normal. Let's try to get past the "being mad that we have to face hard things" stage, and move on to the "how can I solve this" or "what do I need to learn from this" stage. If possible, let's take the problems that come and use them as the impetus to change for the better. :)
1 Peter 4:12
This is similar to 1 Corinthians 10:13, which tells us "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man." ... And on one hand I think it is comforting to know that temptations and trials happen to other people, even the ones that seem super unique to us. It means that other people can relate, and maybe even help. On the other hand, knowing that someone else has suffered similarly doesn't necessarily make it easier.
One thing that does help, I think, is knowing that God knows how to solve the problem. 1 Corinthians 10:13 continues, explaining that God always makes a way to escape, and makes our burdens possible to bear. Because Christ suffered for us, he really does know what it is like to be in our shoes, and how to comfort us, and help us know how to get through it.
Another thing that helps, at least for me, is realizing that it is "not strange," and by that I mean not just that this one has happened before, but remembering that trials and temptations are a normal, expected part of life. We go through life sometimes thinking that it is supposed to be smooth and untroubled--but that isn't the way life is supposed to be at all. This is a training ground to teach us how to handle a body, which is a huge undertaking all by itself, and then also to figure ourselves out as a spirit and body combination... and help others with all of the above as well. Trials are part of the deal. The combination of knowing that they are coming, and knowing that we *can* get through them... I think that is what helps.
Today, let's remember that trials (even the fiery ones) are not strange, but pretty normal. Let's try to get past the "being mad that we have to face hard things" stage, and move on to the "how can I solve this" or "what do I need to learn from this" stage. If possible, let's take the problems that come and use them as the impetus to change for the better. :)
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