In 1 Peter 4:12-19, Peter encourages his readers who were facing intense persecution, with some important teaching regarding trials in the Christian life. The ‘fiery trial’ Peter’s readers were facing was nothing that should come to them by surprise and in the midst of the trials these believers should rejoice because of God’s purposes and plans in them. They also should examine their own ways as well as trust themselves to their faithful Creator. Trials are hard to endure, but because God is in control, they will prove our faith to be ‘more precious than gold’ (1 Peter 1:6-7).