1 Peter 4:12-13 – A Windswept Heart

Daily Devotional Bible Verses

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. (1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV)

I remember there was a severe winter weather warning in Bismarck, ND. They were planning to measure the snow in feet instead of inches. This didn’t bother me too much as I am a Florida boy who enjoyed using his new snow blower . The days came and went, but they went without the predicted large amounts of snow. However, there was wind, and lots of it! For two days straight we experienced 30-40 mph gusts. If you’ve ever experienced this kind of harsh weather, you’ll understand me when I tell you that this created hard-packed snow drifts. These drifts were so dense and icy that no tool could remove them other than a shovel and hard, hard work. My fancy blower sat useless as I labored with a shovel to break it up big chunks of snow by hand, and throw them to the side.

This memory calls to mind what can happen in our lives as we face trials. In our struggles, our hearts can harden toward God (as the days of wind did to the snow), or we can choose to rejoice that we are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. Hebrews 12:2 says that “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.” We can look to Jesus during these times and know that He also endured trials and chose to have joy and rejoice; instead of hardening as the snow did. These trials can also give us great opportunities to shine the light of Jesus in our lives to those around us as we suffer hardships. What a gift we have in the blessings of Christ to make our burdens lighter! Please cling to this today, brother and sisters.

Thank God today that you have an example of Jesus to look to during your trials.