Suppose an arsonist starts a fire in your neighborhood. It soon roars across the city, destroying everything in its path, turning millions of dollars of property into ash and killing hundreds. The next morning, the mayor holds a press conference to announce he will be recommending the death penalty for the person responsible…whom he says is you. You and your Christian friends.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.

I Peter 1:6

Such a scenario confronted Peter when he wrote about the expectation of “various trials.” The Emperor Nero had just blamed Christians for the fiery destruction of Rome, even though many historians believe it was Nero himself who started the blaze.

Some Christians believe God has promised mountainous monetary riches and permanent good health on this Earth. Just trust Him and give sacrificially, they claim, and you will be a stranger to suffering. The Bible teaches otherwise. God promises perfect bliss, but not in this life. Will Christians be blamed for America’s problems? In some respects, it’s already beginning. But as you pray for your leaders and fellow citizens today, remember that many of them are sadly missing something you have: the assurance that the hardships of today are only “for a little while.”

Recommended Reading: Acts 14:19-28