“Beloved, think it not strange  concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as  though some strange thing happened unto you: “– 1 Pet. 4:12
Peter tells us that we shouldn’t be surprised by our trials–but we usually are. Indeed we are often shocked that they would or should come upon us. We would not be surprised had they come upon others, but for some reason we think we should escape what they have to endure. But it doesn’t work that way. Trials come universally, un-expectantly, un-invited, and, to our mind of many, un-deserved. At a moment when least expected they kick down the door and interrupt our life. And we’re left wondering “Why?” “Why me?”, “Why this?”, “Why now?”.
It might be that we’ve read all the verses related to trials and are well versed on how God uses them for good, but at that moment nothing seems to make sense. Although troubles and trials are the norm for Christians we always think they are out of place–like God got the wrong address or doesn’t know what we really need. Well you can forget that! God knows exactly what we need and He sends it accordingly. And as unpleasant as it might be, we should not complain that His will is done.
Notice the next verse–“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of  Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be  revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding  joy. “.F. B. Meyer said, “Nothing is harder to bear than the apparent aimlessness of suffering”. That’s why Romans 8:28 is such a great encouragement. It assures us that God uses the bad for good. What we despise now might produce some of the greatest blessings in life at a later date. Sadly we are usually too blind to see that possibility. That’s why we must stand on God’s promises. They never fail.– HDS

“But I would ye should understand,  brethren, that the things which  happened unto me have fallen out  rather unto the furtherance of the  gospel; So that my  bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other  places;“–Phil. 1:12-13
I’ve never been in prison but I can well imagine how I might feel. I suspect that I might feel that my ministry was over, that my usefulness to God had come to an end, and that I had a right to complain. That’s why I marvel so at the story of Paul who suffered all kinds of hardships and was imprisoned at Rome, yet used of God in a mighty way. I’m not the only one impressed. J. R. Miller wrote, “A prison is not an ideal place for usefulness. Yet no years of the apostle’s life were ,ore fruitful of good than than when he was a prisoner. He wrote letters to the churches he could not visit, and to individuals he he wished to help, and the letters not only carried blessings to those to whom they were written, but they have been carrying blessings ever since to countless lives”.

I hope you let that sink in and feel the full impact. Your situation might be much different than Paul’s–you have a problem of a different sort, but you feel like a prisoner to your circumstances, limited and useless. You are so focused on the obstacles that you see no opportunities. However, although the manner of your usefulness is different that Paul’s there is something you can do. Whatever your circumstances are there is some way you can be used of God to be a blessing to others. In some cases it won’t even be through direct contact. It might simply be their knowledge of the good way you handled your bad situation. Testimonies can be powerful.

The fact is, if you live long enough the time will probably come when the manner in which you serve God will change. Physical limitations or other factors will prevent you from doing what you do now, but don’t give up. There is always something you can do..The fact that you are still alive is evidence that God wants to use you. You might think your best days are over, when they are actually yet to come. Don’t you dare give up before God is through with you!–HDS

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My  father: and  he  said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood:  but  where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a  lamb for a  burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”–Gen. 22:7-8

Nearly everyone has encountered a situation in life where they felt, “This is too hard. I can’t do this”. That’s why our text is so very important. At this very moment I have family and friends who are in great need, in various ways,and I suspect the same is true of you. I pray they will consider this and be encouraged by it.

Whether your problem is sin, shame, sickness, suffering, sorrow, shortage, etc. the nature of your problem doesn’t matter. God is able to meet them all. His power exceeds the greatness of any problem. Regardless of how you feel at this moment you can face your future without fear because God is faithful to do as He promised. That gives us hope when we are helpless. It keeps us going when the only option seems to be quitting. Knowing He can provide what we need produces a peace that passeth all understanding. You need to think about that everyday so as to build your faith (Rom. 10:17) to cope with the crisis that will surely come.—HDS