“Rejoicing During Our Trials”


BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 1-5
DISCUSSION                                                        
                Why is it that we always think that our situation is much worse than everyone else’s?   Whether it is trials that we are faced with, pain that we are feeling or stresses that we are under, each person usually feels that theirs is greater than yours.  The old saying goes that we really don’t know what someone else is going through until we walk a mile in their shoes.  We really don’t have any clue what someone else is dealing with, and although our life may be difficult, there is always someone else that is living under a harder condition than I am.  Complaining about our situations do nothing to repair them or make them go away.  In fact, complaining about them usually just magnifies them into being worse.  Maybe that is why Peter tells us, that instead of complaining about our situations we need to rejoice about them.  Yes, that’s right! Peter says rejoice and he does so on at least 2 separate occasions in I Peter.  First is I Peter 1.6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” . We are encouraged to rejoice so that the testing of our faith will help us endure the greater affliction when it comes.  He also reminds us to “rejoice” in I Peter 4.12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” .  It seems clear for our reading that there was at least one person whose situation was worse than ours, and his name was Jesus.   So, the next time you have an opportunity to complain to others about your situation, why not rejoice that it isn’t worse than it really is.  Also, your struggle just may be preparing you for something greater along the way.
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