“The Fiery Trial…”  (Part One)

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice…” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

How would you like a man of God to say that to you? “Don’t think it not strange about that big trial that is coming your way…” What is the “worst fiery trial” that you have ever been through? We have been through many, but the one that comes to my mind is the story of when Bobby was run over by his bush hog here in Haiti. It happened after the earthquake, and we were planning on building new homes for all of the earthquake victims that we cared for on our property in Haiti… Hundreds of them, wounded, suffering, and without hope. They had been in our “field hospital,” right here on our property, with their amputated legs and arms and wounds… It had been a very stressful time.

After the earthquake, we felt like the Lord wanted us to clear another piece of land that we had and build hundreds of homes for the earthquake victims. But just as the project started, Bobby had a horrible accident with our bush hog. A huge tree limb had knocked him off the seat and threw him overboard in front of the bush hog. The heavy tree limb had landed on the seat of the bush hog, and it kept going and then ran over Bobby, who had already been knocked down.

Getting him evacuated out of Haiti was a trial in itself, but God provided all the help we needed. When he was sent to the States to recover (at our little place in the States), he was in the midst of the “fiery trial.” He had to wear a body cast and could not see how he would continue with the building project in Haiti with all the stress it would involve. When you are in “this kind of trial,” you can’t feel God; you must walk by faith and not by sight.

As Bobby was lying in bed one night, he felt the warm presence of Jesus come over him… He knew he was completely healed! The next day, Bobby ripped his “body cast off” and in a few days went back to Haiti. God sent him “special help from an unseen force” to help him build all of those houses. And Bobby fully recovered from his accident.

Yes, your “fiery trial” will make you feel as though you are all alone. None of your friends may understand what you are going through, and perhaps you won’t be able to see any way out. Maybe you won’t even feel the presence of God, but He was nearer than ever before. Little will you know that a “miracle is on the way!” You will come forth as gold, tried in the fire! So, rejoice! Sherry