think it not strange

I Peter 4:12 says:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

Peter is exhorting believers to take joy in the suffering and persecution they encounter for being Christians. Have you ever wondered why it is the Christian's "lot in life" to be maltreated? What does the world have against us anyway? Most Christians I know aren't trying to assert themselves or their beliefs on the lives of unbelievers. In fact, the greatest proselytes I know are the unregenerate people I work with. Believers are constantly invited, enticed, and compelled by the world to worship their gods their way. So the natural conclusion would be that while Christians might be pitied or looked down on by the world, they don't really have much reason to hate us the way they do. But then come these verses:

Matthew 10:34-36
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Christ is using some pretty strong language here as He sends out His disciples. He tells them that He is sending them out as "sheep among wolves" and to expect hatred from those they encounter on their way. Christ warns them to:

Beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Jesus was not surprised by the reaction of the world to His message. He came to bring variance! But with the conflict He promises us, He also promises to care for us:

Matthew 10:29-31

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

So don't be surprised when the world hates you, when the world despises you. We should expect it, but not look at it as a matter of sorrow. Instead we should rejoice in the trials that we encounter as a Christian!

I Peter 4:13

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.