Take a deep breath, set aside your worries and anxieties, place your fears and struggles at the foot of the cross. Enter into this time with God as a child trusting His guidance and love for you. Let Him direct you to the lessons you are intended to learn today.
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30459A" data-link="(A)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30460B" data-link="(B)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30460C" data-link="(C)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30460D" data-link="(D)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30461E" data-link="(E)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> you are blessed,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30461F" data-link="(F)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30463G" data-link="(G)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30464H" data-link="(H)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30464I" data-link="(I)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-30465a" data-link="[a]\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30465J" data-link="(J)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30466K" data-link="(K)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Reread the passage again, this time make note of the actions we are to take amidst persecution.
Read the passage one last time and consider the following questions:
Are you being Persecuted?
If you are not being persecuted, could it be because no one sees you as different from the world?
When trial and strife come do you praise God?
What about you set\’s you apart from the culture around you?
In Step With God 