Tuesday, November 17, 2015

trouble ahead

Today's readings: Ezekiel 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 27:23-27

There is alot going on in the world today! ISIS, bomb threats, a horrible presidential race, earthquakes in Japan and Mexico... there is alot to worry about.

And in personal news, I have friends dealing with cancer, job loss, broken marriages, broken lives... life can be hard sometimes, right?

But James gives us some good perspective today. He says "when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Because you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

Things are tough right now. And with ISIS out there killing Christians, not to mention the random shootings here and there, it might not get better before it gets worse. But James gives us hope. The very trials we face give us an opportunity for joy. And not just joy, but GREAT joy.

James goes on to point out that those who are rich (which, from an historical and global perspective, you and I are) will see most of their deeds burn up. But if we're poor, we've been blessed because God has honored them. Poor people are often close to God, because they have to depend on Him more - have you noticed that?

So us rich folks have a chance to see some hardships... which will bring us joy, as they push us closer to Jesus. Count it great joy!

God, thank You for the opportunity to grow in our faith, and to find great joy in our hardships.

1 comment:

Julie said...

The future of our lives ahead will be different but we must count it all joy and hold on to each other and find the beauty in Gods creation everyday.