On Trial

Struggle much? If you are a human, then you have struggles, because there is only one way to completely avoid struggles in our lives - and it happens when we stop living. I just learned today that someone I knew, and a very active community leader committed suicide...absolute shocking tragedy. As people, how do we get to a place of total hopelessness?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 NIV.

Struggles are a part of life, and we all will experience them whether we want to or not. What matters is not what they are, but how we face them. We can face them as obstacles or opportunities; stumbling blocks or stepping stones = perspective matters. One perspective can lead us to despair and maybe hopelessness, causing us to react, while another perspective can look at them as trials or tests, where we can then respond instead of react. Responding allows the words of this passage become more than words on a page, but a prescription for life's struggles.

This perspective offers us a view so we can see how and what God desires for us, over what Satan does. Satan wants us to sin...to react sinfully to trials and testing. in essence. to prove we have little to no faith, while God wants us to endure things and circumstances, not to sin, and to therefore prove our faith.

Trials and tests are coming, that is just the way it is in the world. But, believe it or not. they are all from God, and our part is all about how we respond or react to them.

First, we can respond faithfully, and this is what God desires most from us. A faith response is proof of the faith believers claim to have - it is the only evidence of, and for, what we say we believe. It is where we put our money where our mouth is, if you will. When we respond this way, it proves our faith, and it gives God the glory.

Second, we can react sinfully, and this is how Satan wants us to react. Where we let emotion and outside factors influence and control our reactions. This is where self-motivation takes the lead, and we want to get any glory.

We are not condemned for reacting, or punished either - what we are is left to suffer the consequences of our choice to react, and we are left wanting, wondering if we could have reacted differently. What we really miss when we react, is the potential blessing that awaits those who avoided the sin reaction, and responded faithfully.

James closes the passage with an interesting phrase, he says:

"...not lacking anything." The greek word used here means "perfect", and James is telling us that by following the prescription and responding faithfully, we will someday be made perfect and claim the ultimate prize of eternal life.

So today...choose to respond with joy to any and all of life's struggles, and see where you find yourself, or better. where He meets you...its where hopeless becomes hopeful.

...just prayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat