Jack in the Box

"Don't be surprised by these fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you." 1 Peter 4:12. Just like a Jack in The box when we were little, we knew what to expect. We knew that while we were going along our merry way and bobbing our head to the music that that scary little joker was going to jump out at some time. It's the same with life. We're going along and up pops Satan. We never know when but we have to learn to expect it. And we have to become people who act according to God's word and his love and not people who react to surprises that pop up. It's no surprise that we are going to share in the sufferings of Christ, 1 Peter 4:13, Romans 8:17, Philippians 3:10. Satan is going to pop up and if he can't get us one way he'll come with another strategy to attempt to take us down. We have to be a people that expect that and are ready for it. In Genesis it says, "What Satan intends for evil God will work out for good."  That is our confidence! That is the rock on which we stand. Though I tremble upon the rock the rock never trembles under me. Be ready, watchful, alert knowing that our enemy is seeking daily to destroy, divide and devour 1 Peter 5:8. If we are not grounded in God's word and have a closeness and intimate relationship with our God we will be taken down by those tactics and evil intentions. 

We are not little vulnerable sheep out here alone trying to survive. We belong to the shepherd and he watches over his flock day and night. He fights off the attacks of the bears and the lions that try to hurt his flock. We have to ingrain a mindset into our brain that though we feel alone sometimes we are never alone. His presence and his power, his might and his love are not only surrounding us but indwelling in us. The same Spirit that Rose Christ from the dead dwells in us. Romans 8:11. I know it sounds trite but when these trials and storms come we must keep our eyes on the Lord and his promises. The minute we take our eyes off of him we are swept over by the winds in the waves. Only he can command the storms to be calm. However, he will allow storms because that's what grows us. He knows that when we grow in him we will not be victims in this life but victors in him. 1st Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. That means to be constantly, moment by moment plugged in to God. Being thoughtful, prayerful, mindful... Rejoicing and praising him in the confidence of knowing that he is in control. 

Do not be surprised, be ready.