Tiến sĩ Tan Tech Zinc

DAILY REFLECTION
31 July 2026

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭

Many years ago, I met Pastor Arthur while he was faithfully shepherding a small church. During a quiet time of prayer, God placed a compelling burden on his heart—to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to women trapped in the red-light districts. Obeying this call came at a tremendous cost. Despite strong opposition from his family, he regularly entered these dangerous areas, sharing the gospel and offering freedom from the exploitation of the syndicates that controlled them.

His ministry soon attracted criticism not only from his family but also from his church leadership. Misunderstood and rejected, he was eventually removed from his pastoral position. Yet Pastor Arthur refused to abandon God’s calling. As an independent evangelist, he continued ministering to the broken and forgotten. At one point, his work was even misunderstood by the authorities, and he was interrogated by the police on suspicion of human trafficking.

The years that followed were marked by illness, financial hardship, family conflicts, disappointments, and relentless opposition. Yet none of these trials deterred him. Instead, they deepened his dependence on God. In the midst of these challenges, he persevered in his theological studies, authored several books, and eventually earned a Doctor of Divinity degree. Today, Pastor Arthur boldly proclaims Christ in churches and the marketplace, sharing God’s faithfulness with humility and passion. Through his steadfast witness, countless lives have been transformed by the gospel.

Pastor Arthur’s journey beautifully illustrates the truth of 1 Peter 4:12: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

Peter reminds believers that trials are not signs of God’s absence but evidence of His refining work. Just as gold is purified in fire, God uses adversity to remove pride, self-reliance, and complacency, producing humility, perseverance, and Christlike character. When our own strength fails, we discover the sufficiency of His grace. Every trial draws us into a deeper relationship with Him and strengthens our confidence in His promises.

If we remain faithful, every hardship becomes a testimony of God’s sustaining power. The fire that seems intended to destroy us often becomes the very furnace in which God shapes us for His glory. Therefore, let us face every trial with courage and hope, knowing that our faithful God is using every circumstance to prepare us for greater Kingdom impact and eternal reward.

“Fiery trials are not signs that God has abandoned us, but evidence that He is preparing us for greater Kingdom impact.”‬‬