Trials
It seems like the beginning of the semester is always a whirlwind and I have to say that this is my first blog of the semester. It seems like the busier we are the harder it is to find time for God and that includes me. I have been busy with ministry but have not slowed down to absorb God.
I have been in a small group at church that is going over James and I just wanted to share something that God is showing me through that. In James 1 it talks about trials and how we are to deal with them. James 1:2 says to “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” Joy must come from God and we must rely on Him to experience joy through trails. I believe that we as Americans confuse Joy and happiness. We are unable to have Joy without having Jesus Christ in our lives. The scripture goes on to says WHEN you encounter various trials, not IF. That means everyone will go through trials so don’t think you are the only one going through trials. It also says we will encounter VARIOUS trials. Each one of us live unique lives and so the trials are not all going to be the same but there is usually someone else that has gone through a similar trial. We must help others as they go through trials. Romans 12:15 says to rejoice with those rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping. We are to be there for each other through everything.
In James 1:12 it talks about how we are blessed when we persevere under trial. That means that we are not crushed under the pressure but grow from the trial. Trials are for us to grow stronger but many times we give into our own desires instead of God’s will. Trials can become temptation and temptation leads to sin but God is not evil according to James 1:13 and that He does not tempt us or lead us to sin. He has allowed trials for us to endure and become stronger but temptation and sin is our own evil desires. In James 1:17 it gives us a look at God’s Character. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God is perfect and good and is the Father of light. Where there is darkness that light is absent. God has not varied and has not shifted from the beginning of time. What an incredible God we serve.
This has been an encouragement for me in that we will have trials and God wants us to grow stronger from them. He desires us to not give into our own selfishness but we must be seeking God’s direction for our every move. I pray that as you see the scripture and look at what God is doing in your life, that you look for the good things and the trials as a positive. When we fail it’s not because of God but he will lift us up and help us start again..
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