JOYFUL SUFFERINGS

 

JOYFUL SUFFERINGS

James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. NLT

Troubles seem to plague some people more than others. We all have trials and tribulations in life. Often our difficult times brings sufferings our way. How we handle our sufferings are a good indicator of the health of our souls. There are some things we should know about our troubles (trials).

Some trials are of our own making. Psalm 1 Sometimes we walk where we should not be walking. We don’t have to move towards what tempts us to sin. We can just say no and put our attention on other things.

We sometimes stand where we should not be standing. We are asking for trouble when we linger around sin’s cesspool. We can’t avoid being around sin sometimes, but we can choose to not linger around it.

We sometimes sit down where we should not be sitting. The longer we linger in sin’s presence, the more likely we are to sit down and indulge it in.

Some trials are of Satan’s making. Job 1 God allows Satan to sometimes harass us to test our faith. We grow most through our trials than our triumphs. In reality, there can be no triumphs without trials. When troubles come your way, don’t complain, see them as opportunities to grow stronger in faith. Learn to lean more on Jesus through your trials and it will keep your soul healthy and strong.

We must never forget that when Satan does harass us and try to get us to blame God for our troubles, he is a liar and is incapable to telling the truth. He is the accuser of the brethren, the Lord isn’t.

Some trials are of God’s making. II Cor. 12:7-10 God loves us too much to always pamper us. He wants us to learn how to lean on Him. He wants us to never forget that we need Him every day, every moment of our lives. Don’t blame your troubles on God, thank Him for them. You cannot grow stronger in faith without the testings of your faith.

When facing the difficult times of life, let them be opportunities for joy. In all things give the Lord thanks. Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4 Peter reminds us that sufferings are to be expected, but we are to rejoice when they come our way. I Pet. 4:12-19