Surprised that you are surprised.

Surprised that you are surprised, 9/5

One of the signs of maturity is taking things in stride.  Little children are surprised by everything.  Getting some life under our belt ought to enable an unflappability that helps everyone in the vicinity to face difficulties--even crises--with calm and deliberateness.  When hard times come we all want that anchor person on our team. Those of us on the gray end of life need to be careful.  While our experience can foster that kind of cool, calm deliberateness, it can also go to seed in the form of cynicism and curmudgeonliness. Peter wanted his his readers to exhibit the former quality.  "Don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you . . . as though some strange thing were happening to you"   (1 Peter 4:12). Make no mistake.  What was going on these folk's lives was horrendous.  They had been forced to leave their homes.  They lived under the threat of, and the ongoing reality of persecution, yet Peter, who experienced his share bad treatment, said "Don't be surprised." Contrary to what we hear from many of the preachers of prosperity the Bible is clear that Christians are going to have a hard time in this world that "lies in the power of the wicked-one (1 John 5:19)."  Jesus said we should not expect to be treated better than Him (John 15:20).  Remember the cross.  The fact that most of us get along so well as Christians in the West is an anomaly. So, when I am misunderstood, or misrepresented, passed over or dumped on, I need to listen to the fisherman Apostle.  "Grow up!  Don't be Surprised.   It's Something to Think About.