All of God’s children will be tried and tested in some way

Nowhere does the Bible teach that you as a Christian are exempt from the tribulations and natural disasters that come upon the world. Scripture does teach that the Christian can face tribulation, crisis, calamity, and personal suffering with a supernatural power that is not available to the person outside of Christ.

Many sincere Christians face a host of problems that are the natural result of living in the world. Facing unexpected expenses (if the car suddenly breaks down), the stress of meeting important deadlines, coping with sicknesses and even surgery, getting stuck in a traffic jam on the way to work, having an argument with a spouse, all ordinary trials. Although these examples do create temporary stress and hardship to a certain extent, they cannot rightly be classified as the type of trial Peter is alluding to here in verse twelve 1 Peter 4:12. Peter is talking about fiery trials; these are extremely intense, prolonged, and may even threaten your very life.

Scripture urges you to not be surprised when intense trials and suffering come their way. Many Christians today do seem to be taken back when difficult circumstances and situations prevail. Many Christian groups are advocating a pain-free life if enough faith is placed in God. This theology is not supported by the clear statements of Scripture. Scripture here is a direct contradiction to that mindset.

The Holy Spirit says it is abnormal to not experience trials and tests of your faith. Having a painless life is both impossible and undesirable. Many people try in vain to escape from suffering and pain through the use of alcohol and drugs or through other dangerous and unwise practices. Others deny that pain and suffering even exists still others try to place the blame for their misfortune upon others. Facing your situation with the help of God is the only realistic and acceptable response to suffering and pain. Just knowing that trials will come to you during the course of your life prevents you from “falling apart” with unnecessary worry and despair. The Spirit reminds you that you will be persecuted because He was as well (John 15:20). Indeed, if you try to live a godly life you can expect it to come eventually (2 Tim. 3:12).

All of God’s children will be tried and tested in some way. Scripture says that you should not be surprised when suffering comes since it is guaranteed by God. He also tells you that Suffering is Graced by Glory:

Suffering is Graced by Glory (1 Peter 4:13-14)

Suffering for Jesus Christ makes pain profitable for you in many ways. In verse thirteen, He declares that suffering is blessed with the glory of God only to the extent that you suffer for Him. As he gave his own personal testimony to the transforming power of God, the Apostle Paul said he wanted to know the “fellowship of his suffering” (Phil. 3:10).
Too many Christians seem to base their responses to pain and suffering solely upon emotions and feelings. But in (James 1:2) God reveals that  “count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations” It has to do with making a mental evaluation and not an emotional response!

Some will face fierce persecution but respond with rejoicing because you have been considered worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ (Acts 5:41).
Your suffering is graced by God’s glory for many important reasons. First of all, it is because He goes with you through your pain.

Remember that God never sends you anywhere--He goes with you through every event in your life.

Secondly, suffering for Jesus Christ is also graced because the “spirit of glory and of God” rests upon you. The glory of God is also where His presence is. Since God is especially near to you as you suffer for Him, His glory is there as well. Going through severe pain is hard; going through it all alone is even harder! Knowing God is there with you gives you peace, joy, and the strength you will need to endure whatever may come.

Thirdly, suffering for Jesus Christ is also graced by glory because God expands your Spiritual maturity and usefulness are enhanced through the unlikely agents of suffering and pain.

Spiritual growth will accelerate through the enduring of pain and hardship for the cause of Christ.

You need to remember that your ministry to others is enhanced through suffering and hardship. This is one reason why Peter said earlier that suffering was “More precious than that of gold that perisheth” (I Peter 1:7).

Fourthly, suffering because of our testimony for Jesus Christ leads to God’s glory because it causes you to trust in Him even more.

You never really know just how strong your faith is until it is tested.

A fifth reason why suffering results in glory is that you are caused to see sin for what it really is. As God allows you to suffer and be tested through a variety of painful circumstances, He does so in order to purge your heart of sin.
A sixth reason your suffering is filled by God’s glory is because it causes you to yearn and long for your heavenly home. Experiencing severe pain helps you remember that life is very short and that there is a better life awaiting you in the future.

(Eph. 2:6), one day you will be with Him physically, never to be separated from Him (John 14:1-3).

Finally, your suffering is an opportunity to experience God’s glory because it follows the pattern set for you by Jesus Christ. His attitude in suffering is one you will do well to imitate as closely as possible.