12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 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)
You likely know someone (or perhaps you are someone) who has said with disgust and self-pity during a hardship: “I don’t deserve this!” It could be that you have worked through feelings of anger, resentment, envy, and bitterness in times when you went through something you thought you didn’t deserve. Sometimes, these times in our lives are spiritual battles, and sometimes they are even due to our own bad decisions. It's also possible that we suffer consequences from decisions of other people near us.
Have you really stopped to consider what you’re saying though, when you say, “I don’t deserve this!” The truth is, I believe, that we don’t deserve God’s grace and His love, but He gives it! The truth is that we don’t deserve a life of eternity with Him, but He gives it if we make that choice to follow Jesus.
I would submit to you today that what we think we deserve is a matter of perspective. If you’re struggling this week with hardships and wondering why you’re going through a certain difficulty, take it to the Lord and seek Him. It could be that He is trying to teach you. It could be a spiritual attack from the enemy. If this week finds you on a mountaintop and things are going great, praise the Lord and thank Him for that. No matter what, let’s try to thank the Lord for His love, grace, and forgiveness, because we definitely don’t deserve those.
By: Marcus Steury
