Unfazed By the Fire

Beloved,
Do not be surprised
At the fiery trial
When it comes upon you to test you
As though something strange
Were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV).

Thought it might seem
An odd blessing—
To be less surprised
At fiery trials—
It is real power,
Real maturity,
To be unfazed by the fire.

It is no invitation
To expect the bad.
No, God is good,
And you have a future and a hope.

But I bless you
To have wisdom
To keep adversity in perspective,
Patience to endure pain for its moment,
And the grace to rejoice
No matter what.