July 10, 2006
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Pastor Mike’s Sunday sermon was on how God uses trials in a believer’s life to conform him more to the image of Christ. I took a ton of notes but one verse hit my heart more than the others and that was to ‘count it all joy’ when we fall into various trials.
I wrote a few blogs back about the financial trial we are currently in. While pastor was preaching the Holy Spirit was convicting me through this verse that I have not ‘counted it all joy’ during this trial. I’ve ‘worked hard’ to trust God knowing that His Word says He will provide but I have forgotten that this trial has a purpose in my life and is sovereignly under God’s control to produce endurance and patience.
Isn’t our Lord a tender, gracious Father? Those who are in the world are struggling under the same trials yet they are choking under the care of the affliction. The trial in an unbeliever’s life is choking out the Word of God. (Mrk 4:18,19) Yet, a believer’s trials are used with a godly purpose in mind. We’re promised that our trials will produce endurance and patience in us. These are two attributes I desperate need in my Christian walk.
So, this morning my eyes are set upon Him whom my soul loves! I will ‘count, consider’ this trial JOY ……KNOWING that as my faith is being tested it will be producing … endurance…. patience and perseverance. The result will be that I will be complete… lacking NOTHING. Now, that’s something to be joyful about!
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have {its} perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Comments (5)
I needed this reminder. I’ve often thought of the scripture where Jesus said it’s harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom that it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle and I think, it’s not just the rich that can become preoccupied with riches, but the poor can too. I know it’s that way with me. When there’s not enough money to buy even the most basic needs like bar soap or tp, shampoo or laundry soap, things we don’t normally make ourselves, it’s easy to become preoccupied with these material things. Then it’s so good to focus on the spiritual things and count everything joyous because God doesn’t waste a single experience in our lives, but makes everything profitable. Now – I was only going to say to you, “Well said, Sister.”
What a blessing you are! I love you and rejoice that we shall spend an eternity praising our beloved Savior—Paula
Years ago I memorized that passage in James just to make me stop complaining…nothing in particular was wrong–just all the little stuff and I had developed a bad habit….Philippians 2:14-15 tells us we will “put our light out” if we are grumblers…it did me a world of good to put that into my heart.
I’m praying for you to “greatly rejoice with joy inexpresssible” (I Peter 1:8) during your financial trial….and I’ll pray the same for me….I always need this!!!
Thanks for the reminder to see the joy in the trials.
Thanks so much for stopping by and giving me your support, it is deeply appreciated. I love your site, and I really enjoyed your post.I am trying each day to trust, trust, trust that all will be well, because I know God loves me and wants the best for me, so it always comes down to trusting Him, taking my mind off of myself and onto how I can help others.What a blessing you have been to me today! May He bless you in all ways, in all things.
Love, Gayle