1 Peter 4:12-13 NASB95
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; [13] but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NASB95
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
I’ve always been fascinated by verse 9 of chapter 5 because it says that the suffering we go through during times of testing are not just experiences we are to endure. Instead, that verse says, “the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren…” Chapter 4:13 says that to the degree that we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, we are to rejoice, knowing that God is accomplishing something significant in the battle. We will eventually see the manifestation of His glory coming forth as a result of the battle, but we don’t have to wait to see it. If you will go ahead and rejoice in the middle of it, then the rejoicing will be even greater once you see the glory of all that God has accomplished through it. Christians don’t endure suffering; they accomplish victories in the midst of suffering. During those times of battle, not only are we transformed, but the enemy is getting his booty kicked, and it is a defeat from which he will never recover. When it feels like there is an onslaught of warfare coming against you, the truth is it is the enemy who is being threatened, not you. Rejoice in all that God is accomplishing in the battle and in the glory of Christ that will be revealed as a result of it. When you are under attack, start attacking through your rejoicing. When you are being assaulted by the evil one, it is then that you have the the enemy right where you want him.