“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
With the cast on her fractured leg, Meg needed help getting from the wheelchair of her local hospital and into the front seat of her sister’s borrowed minivan. Looking into the face of her distraught husband, Meg said, “Honey, remember two or three weeks ago we watched our pastor preach on livestream from the book of 1 Peter. He said something like, ‘It is not a case of if troubles are going to come. It is a case of when they are going to come. It is what we do in those troubles that will make us better or bitter.’ Remember that, Honey?” He did. As they pulled from the hospital, Meg quietly spoke to her husband. “First, I thank the Lord for sparing my life. Second, the police call it an accident. I like to call it an incident in which the Lord is working. Third, I am going to trust Him more now than ever. Fourth, I am going to ring a bell and expect you to wait on me hand and foot!” and with that both burst out laughing. “Seriously, Honey,” Meg continued, “this hasn’t taken the Lord by surprise, and I have chosen joy knowing that you and I both, as well as our children, are going to learn some really precious things about the Lord in these few weeks ahead. I want to look up that passage in 1 Peter 4 when we get home.”
For today: So what are you facing today? How will this impact your response to it?