Faith in the Fire | 1 Peter 4:12–19 | 5 Devotions on Trusting God Through Trials

When Peter wrote to suffering Christians in the first century, he didn’t offer them a way around their trials. Instead, he pointed them to a faithful God who walks with His people through the fire. In 1 Peter 4:12–19, we are reminded that trials are not strange detours in the Christian life—they are part of God’s refining work, preparing us for the glory to come.

These five short devotions will help you see how God strengthens His people in hardship, teaches us to trust Him in daily tests of faith, and equips us to endure with joy. Each day’s reading includes a passage of Scripture, a reflection rooted in the message of 1 Peter 4:12–19, and a prayer to help you entrust yourself to your faithful Creator.

Whether you are in the midst of suffering or simply seeking to grow deeper in your faith, take these next five days to rest in this truth: God is with you in the fire, and He will not fail you.

Day 1: Don’t Be Surprised

📖 Scripture: John 15:18-21

💡 Reflection: When trials come, our first instinct is to think something is wrong. But Jesus told us plainly that following him would bring opposition. Peter echoes this in his letter, reminding us that suffering for Christ isn’t strange—it’s expected. This isn’t meant to discourage us but to prepare us, so we aren’t blindsided. The world opposed Christ, and when it opposes those who bear his name, it’s a reminder that we belong to him..

🙏 Prayer: Faithful Lord, when hardships come, help me not to be surprised or shaken. Give me a steadfast heart that remembers I am following in the footsteps of my Savior. Keep me from fear and instead fill me with confidence in your presence. Amen.

Day 2: Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings

📖 Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11

💡 Reflection: Paul’s longing wasn’t just to know Christ’s power—it was to know him even in suffering. Trials aren’t wasted; they bring us closer to Jesus. When we endure hardship for his name, we experience fellowship with him in a unique way. Every insult, rejection, or cost borne for Christ ties us to the One who bore the ultimate cost for us.

🙏 Prayer: Lord Jesus, draw me close to you in every trial. Teach me to see my hardships not as meaningless burdens but as opportunities to know you more deeply. Help me rejoice that I am yours. Amen.

Day 3: The Spirit of Glory Rests Upon You

📖 Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

💡 Reflection: Stephen, the first Christian martyr, didn’t stand in his own strength. In his suffering, the Spirit of glory rested on him, giving him courage and even forgiveness for his enemies. That same Spirit rests upon every believer. You may not face persecution like Stephen, but in every trial, you are not alone. The Spirit who dwells in you is the Spirit who strengthens and upholds you.

🙏 Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for resting upon me. Fill me with your strength, courage, and peace when I feel weak. Remind me that I am never alone because you live in me. Amen..

Day 4: Judgment Begins at the Household of God

📖 Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

💡 Reflection: Peter’s words about judgment beginning at God’s household point to God’s refining work among his people. Like a loving Father, he tests and disciplines us, not to destroy us, but to make us holy. These “fiery trials” are not proof of God’s absence but of his care, shaping us for his glory.

🙏 Prayer: Father, thank you for loving me enough to refine me. When trials come, help me trust that you are purifying my heart and making me more like Jesus. Give me endurance and hope in your fatherly care. Amen.

Day 5: Entrusting Your Soul to a Faithful Creator

📖 Scripture: Psalm 37:3–7

💡 Reflection: Peter closes this section with a simple but powerful command: entrust your soul to your faithful Creator and keep doing good. We don’t cling to our strength or our circumstances—we rest our lives in God’s hands. He made us. He redeemed us. And he will not fail us. While the world is unsteady, our God is unshakable.

🙏 Prayer: Faithful Creator, I place my life in your hands today. Teach me to trust you in every trial and keep walking in obedience, knowing you hold me fast. Help me to live boldly and do good for your glory. Amen.