Do not be surprised when you find yourself in a fiery trial. God has a perfect reason and purpose for it. Not only to prove your faith before the Lord and to those around you. But God is allowing the trial to test you, mold, and shape you. To root out some deep-seated bad habits, sinful behaviors, or the wrong direction you have been walking in. Also, it could be that you have been unwilling to step out of your comfort zone into what God has created you to be. I know, I have been there too.
We all know that the devil and the world do not like the truth, the Word of God, and the ways of the Lord. But they hate it with an unrighteous passion. The world and the devil want to keep you trapped, bound, and deceived. Keeping you away from the purpose and plan the Lord has for you. But the Lord wants you to be free, strong, bold, and walking in His power and authority. Most importantly, He desires you to be working to grow the Kingdom of Heaven.
So be of good cheer for these trials are good for you. Remember nothing good comes easy or without pain. This is a good sign that the Lord is at work in your life. You are not a lost cause, but He loves you enough to discipline and correct you. This is for your benefit and you are blessed already because of the mere fact that you go through this trial.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Not only will God reward your faithfulness and endurance. He is also working on your inner being, to create righteous behavior, and remove those bad habits. He is releasing you from the shackles that have bound you to the ways of the devil.
Change your mindset and change your ways. Look to the Lord for your every hope and help. Fight for what is right so that you will become more like Christ. This is the true and main reason God brings the fiery trial. To mold and shape you, to equip and strengthen you, to cut deep and chip away who you are not supposed to be. To craft you into His image and make you who He has always intended you to be. So do not resist discipline or God’s correction. But fight with Him against whatever is evil. Even if you find it present in your life. It is all for your good.
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.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:12-19
The Soul Sower 