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

Going through the fire!

Numbers 31 ²¹ Then the priest Eleazar spoke to the soldiers who had gone into battle. He said, “Here is what the law the Lord gave Moses requires. ²² All of your gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin and lead ²³ must be put through fire. So must everything else that doesn’t burn up. Then those things will be ‘clean.’ But they must also be made pure with the special water. In fact, everything that won’t burn up must be put through that water.

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Headed to the “plaza” to do some shopping, my sister and I had a conversation. I don’t know how fast I was going but by the time I noticed the stopped car it was too late.  I slammed on my brakes and the car went into a skid. We hit a pole instead of the stopped car. My sister’s head hit the windshield and fortunately she walked away with only a major headache! Why did this have to happen? I thought to myself!

• The troubles I face feel rotten at the time.
• The trials I face seem devastating at the moment.
• The tribulations I face seem difficult when I am going through them.

“Why me” is a question I’ve muttered to the LORD on many occasion. I mean, I’m trying to live right and do the right things but it seems like trouble is all around me is how I feel during the situation. BUT GOD knows more.

• GOD knows it takes the fire of trials to burn away parts of my character that won’t help HIS kingdom.
• GOD knows it takes the fire of trouble to burn away any thought of me not needing HIM.
• GOD knows it takes the fire of tribulation to burn away to get me out of my comfort zone and follow HIM rather than my own plans.

Fire purifies. Fire burns. Fire engulfs. GOD uses fire to grow me and I should not be afraid of it rather enjoy watching the change in my character.  GOD knows what is best for me and HE wants to grow me. Praising HIM for my trials makes me stronger!

• Are you going through difficult times?
• Do you feel GOD has left you alone?
• Can you look at what HE is taking you through as a growing period?
• Won’t you praise HIM in spite of your situation?

Married folks work it out.

1 Corinthians 7: ¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.11 

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Seven O’clock was approaching rapidly and the guests would arrive soon.  The dimmer switch I had neglected to install was just sitting there.  “I know… I’ll install it now” I brilliantly said to myself!

I mean it would only take a few minutes. Meanwhile, my wife was busy cleaning and preparing for guests to come over. When a wire broke I had a sinking feeling this five minute effort would extend into a much longer venture. It did!

Marriage is not easy but it’s worth it. Marriage isn’t easy BUT it’s worth it. Yes I said that twice. Two personalities coming together to form one is usually met with turbulence and we were not immune. I can only speak for my half of my marriage. I brought baggage that needed to be unpacked.

• A reason GOD loves marriage is it makes me make concessions instead of going full force on my own faulty direction.
• A reason GOD loves marriage is it models a relationship I have with HIM.
• A reason GOD loves marriage is it shows me the need to bring others along rather than being a lone superstar.

Paul told single people he would rather they remain single so they could serve the LORD intently.  I understand but I view marriage as a blessed institution that I should be focused on GOD with similar intensity.

• Problems develop when I am not focused on GOD’s way of doing marriage.
• Problems pop up when I think “I’m all that” instead of being humble in marriage.
• Problems seep in when I focus on issues rather than GOD in marriage.

One thing I’ve learned to ask while being married is “LORD how do you want things to go?” Every time I’ve asked that question, HE has answered with LOVE.

• Are you fighting in your marriage?
• Can you take time to stop and work it out?
• Can you view marriage as GOD’s rather than yours?
• If you are single can you serve GOD intently without looking to be married?

I don’t like (insert race) and I don’t like (insert spouse’s name)!

Colossians 3:  ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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This morning I sat in front of the keyboard trembling, knowing the message was clear but it is just something that has to be said. Racism and hatred are alive and well and you and I are the blame and the cure. Not only has the country divided, but the world has developed chasms between other humans that seem to be impossible to span.

Marriages are crumbling at a rapid rate while churches pick and choose who they serve. I have had so many discussions about marital issues over the past few weeks that are very disheartening meanwhile the news and other media continues to belch out racism. It’s funny how similar the problems are between marital issues and racism.

• Races and spouses want their way.
• Races and spouses blame others for the current issues in their lives.
• Races and spouses don’t do the right things when it comes to reconciliation so issues perpetuate.

This problem seems to be huge! What am I supposed to do? GOD chose me to say this message and HE has made me holy and loves me dearly.

• I must clothe myself with compassion – GOD’s compassion doesn’t see race or wrong.
• I must clothe myself with kindness – GOD’s kindness goes above and beyond helping people who are easy to help.
• I must clothe myself with humility – GOD’s humility understands that I am the only one I need to control, not my spouse or another race.
• I must clothe myself with gentleness – GOD’s gentleness always seeks reconciliation.
• I must clothe myself with patience – GOD’s patience overlooks the same issues with me for a lifetime and HE expects me to do the same for other humans.

Bearing with others and forgiving others isn’t easy. GOD certainly doesn’t care who wronged who first because I wronged HIM first and HE died in my place. Churches make expansion plans while families make vacation plans both trying to isolate themselves from the world. BUT GOD wants me to mix it up and treat people as HE would treat me, with love and unity.

• Is your marriage crumbling?
• Do you have strong relationships between all races?
• What is it about your spouse or that race that bothers you?
• Can you let GOD change you in a way that you serve others no matter if they are flat out wrong?