Not Unusual

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12, NIV).

Today, Daisy has a checkup at the vet. Jeff sits in back with her while I drive across town. I see Daisy begin to realize this is not the sort of adventure she hoped for! Her anxiety increases with every change of location. She stares at the vet office door. Is there time to escape? She quivers head to tail, hiding under Jeff’s chair. 

Today, Jeff gets a role reversal. He is the caregiver. Daisy is the patient.

If only Daisy understood. All of this is for her good. It will soon pass. That scary vet is her ally. We, her loving humans, would never lead her into harm.

We are more like Daisy than I like to admit. Painful trials catch me off guard. My anxiety grows as I realize a situation is getting scary. I lose sight of the truth: God loves me and protects me. Any troubles I face are ultimately part of His good plan for my life.

None of my loved ones’ afflictions surprise my loving God. He ordained the unpleasant surprises before one of them came to be. They must be necessary for reasons unseen by me.

After the vet, Daisy is one chill pup! She relaxes and enjoys the safety of home. All of this stress is just a day in the life of a well cared for pet.

I want to trust my Master, Jesus, enough to stop quivering and fretting. His perfect love casts out fear when we remember that He never leads us into harm. He has a purpose and a plan. 

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Peter 4:19, NIV).