Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 HCSB
I can remember touring a glassblowing factory with my parents when I was a child. I was impressed with how they created artistic sculptures by putting hot molten glass on a long hollow tube into which air was blown to mold the glass into a specific form. wikiHow reports that glassblowing was first developed in the Middle East around 300 BC. Since then glass-blown products have become indispensable to daily life, as well as to scientific innovation, and glass blowing has emerged as a major art form. The temperature in the furnace where the glass is heated stays at about 2000 to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit.
The people in Peter's time may have been well aware of glassblowing and the “fiery ordeal” that was required to melt the glass before molding. Peter used this analogy to make a point about the Christian life. As Christians we should expect difficulties or “fiery ordeals” to come our way. Such difficulties are tests of our faith from God to help us grow and become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.
Challenge: What “fiery ordeals” are you facing in your life? Trust in God and His Holy Spirit to give you what you need to make it through the difficulties you are facing. Count your “fiery ordeals” as tests that God has allowed to help you grow as His disciple.