Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. ~ 1 Peter 4:12 Peter starts off here with the word 'Beloved'. What a term of endearment, it is from the form of love that is God's divine love - agapētos. You could translate it to be 'divinely loved ones'. Peter uses this word as a descriptive title, reminding the recipients of this letter, who were going through much suffering because of persecution, that they were loved in the heart of God. What a beautiful comforting thought! Peter goes on to say, 'concerning the fiery trial which is to try you'. 'Fiery' literally means burning, the word used here refers to a smelting furnace where gold and silver are purified. What a perfect description of what going through fiery trials does to us; it is a purifying experience.
Picture this; refining gold from the ore involves a process in which the ore is tried or melted in order to separate pure gold from the other elements. It is a very complex process where all the impurities are removed. Peter is telling us that the fiery trial is a refining process rather than divine judgment. It is going to strengthen our faith as we lean on Jesus Christ.
Peter said in 1 Peter 1:6-7 'In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ'.
God's plan for your life often, but not always, includes pain and hardship. When trials come, we are not to be surprised, he writes, it is normal. As we suffer for Christ's sake, our lives will be refined and our faith strengthened.
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