REBECCA, READ THIS WHEN YOU ARE SUFFERING
james is one of my favorite books of the bible because it is so dense and meaty. it's one of those books where you want to underline everything! anyways, we are going through the book of james at frontline and i am so excited to study it word by word. today's passage focuses on james 1:1-4, finding joy in suffering.
one character who exemplifies real faith is job. despite his tribulations "job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and WORSHIPED. he said "naked i came from my mother's womb, and naked i shall return there. the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (job 1:20-21). we have to understand the nature of God in order to comprehend how to have joy despite hardships.
i will always remember this saying "faith that is easy is faith that is fading". faith does not grow during easy days. and with that, i want to remember romans 5:3-5 always: "and not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" YES! PTL! Rebecca, if you are reading this because you are suffering something and you are not praising the Lord by now, go wash your face with some dirt.
if you are still not convinced that you will get over this, read on...
one of the MAJOR ways how we christians live our lives different from the world's is in the way we respond to trials in our lives. our culture tries to numb or drown out pain and reality through mediums such as drinking, shopping, falling into addictions, our computer screens...but as followers of jesus christ, we find joy and endurance to season faith in Him. Jesus is calling our name.
and i hope to end with this prayer:
"hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. from the end of the earth i call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than i. for You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy. let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings" psalm 61:1-4
