Facing Trials

Facing Trials

James 1: ² My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, ³ for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. 

 

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Trying to explain what I was going through seemed impossible. Everyone was smiling and I was feeling terrible. Lots of problems were coming my way which included people being sick, debt collection and broken relationships.

 

• I did not want the phone to ring.
• I did not want to hear another problem mentioned.
• I did not want another trial.

 

James gives a strange statement to those who are scared and probably in hiding. Many people had been scattered because of their belief in JESUS. Persecution was their new normal and they needed some words to help them get over the shock.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knows I will face trials and wants me to gain endurance.
• GOD is right there with me when I am going through a trial.
• GOD grows me in the times of trouble.

 

It is not the trials that we face it is the response to the trial that is important. I mean, I can fall apart and tell people how terrible the trial is, or I can tell people I am in a trial and ask GOD for endurance. GOD does not want me to be a superhero, nor does HE want me to fold up and wither in a corner. HE wants me to admit, something is not right and rely on HIM to fix the problem.

 

GOD gives me strength when I have none. HE empathizes with the pain I feel and deeply cares when I am concerned. HE gives me endurance to withstand trials because HE assures me HE is right there going through the trial with me. I am glad HE will never leave me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer consider trials as being fortunate?
• What trial can you think of that you came through and was stronger for it?
• Knowing GOD is right there with you, how does this change your view of the current trial?
• Will you look at the endurance you are gaining from GOD versus focusing in on the trial today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, we see trials as something to get out of. Please help this reader gain the right endurance to grow his or her faith. amen

Stressed Out

Matthew 11: ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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Meeting after meeting, my day was full. If I wasn’t in meetings, I was answering my voicemail or replying to some scathing email left by the arrogant. After a while I found myself without sleep. I would wake in the middle of the night thinking about work. The speed in which I had to reply to issues was ridiculous. Was there any relief?!

• I have been stressed out in the past.
• I have had extreme pressure in the past.
• I have had to face situations where it seemed as if no one was in my corner and I did not know where to turn.

Feeling like no one cares can lead to even more stress. After a while I even asked the question, “GOD do you care?” HE gave me HIS answer.

• GOD said to me “I care so come to me with whatever is stressing you out.”
• GOD said to me “I love you so I will yoke myself with you and pull when you cannot.”
• GOD said to me “I died for you and now I live so with the power that has been given to ME, I will give you rest.”

There is no issue too great for GOD. There is no problem GOD cannot solve. There is no situation that causes me stress that GOD cannot handle. Whether GOD is my first choice or the last, I can always go to HIM and give HIM my burdens.

I can also learn HIS word so in times of stress I can use them to navigate the unwieldy times. GOD cares enough about me that HE wants me to have peace. All I need to do is seek HIM.

• Are you stressed out?
• Do you face situations that have you deeply worried?
• Can you talk to GOD about what is stressing you out?
• Will you connect yourself to HIM and learn HIS word so you can navigate through stressful times?

The Health of Being Amazed

Psalm 8: ¹ Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
² Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
³ When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
⁴ what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

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Each day I wake up with a choice. Do I see GOD as the answer or the problem? I mean when I wake up worried, grumpy or scared I may have already made my choice. How can I see things different?

• GOD wants me to ponder HIS title “GOD” which is above any person, situation or thought.
• GOD wants me to ponder HIS location which is everywhere, even in the furthest regions of space.
• GOD wants me to ponder HIS plan that is accepted by optimistic children not pessimistic, failed, faithless, foes.
• GOD wants me to ponder HIS work where the same GOD who ignited the sun fashioned me just the way HE wanted me to be.

Doubt, fear, greed, lust, anger, slander and envy are all enemies of GOD. I can choose to side with these enemies and fall into a great deal of health issues. Whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, the consequences are dire. By pondering who, what, where and when GOD is I become amazed. In my amazement, I can actually here HIM versus when I am complaining about HIM.

HE is amazing. HE is stronger than any situation I put myself in. HE is everywhere I would run. HE has already won the battle even when I fail. HE is always forgiving, always loving to me.

• What have you decided today?
• Have you decided to see GOD as the problem or the solution?
• Will you open your mouth and thank HIM for where HE has you?
• Can you ponder and praise GOD today?

Getting Through Agony

Psalm 6: ¹ Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

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A tear rolled down my cheek as I chewed in agony. Something was wrong with a tooth and I was in wrenching pain. I tried over the counter medicines and they seemed to work for a while, but now they had no effect. I called around to find dentists who were available but for some reason every appointment was filled with emergencies. Finally I found a doctor who would see me in three days. Three days??!! How will I last?

• Sometimes I see my pain as an emergency.
• Sometimes I see my anguish as the most important thing going on right now.
• Sometimes I see my agony as the pinnacle of things that needs to be solved right now!

“How long, Lord, how long?” David asks and when I am in pain I ask the same question. I mean my problem is the most important thing going on in the world isn’t it?

• GOD says to me “Bring your cares to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Cast your troubles at MY feet.”
• GOD says to me “I will provide you strength to do all things.”

Pain, anguish and agony are easy things for GOD to handle. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness are definitely HIS concern for me. HE wants the best for me and understands life’s troubles. I thought I could not survive the painful toothache and years later I almost forgot the incident. HE takes me though many situations and I am stronger only because of HIS strength.

• Are you going through pain?
• Are you exhausted from asking “how long?”
• Will you give your time expectation over to GOD knowing HE will clear up the issue HIS way and in HIS time?
• Can you understand that HIS love for you is deeper than any problem you can face?