trusting in God...even when life if tough

I had the privelege of sharing God's truth from James 1:1-12 at our men's breakfast this weekend. Here were my four points.

1. Trials are inevitable (2). Trials of various kinds are a reality of life on planet earth. No one is exempt. The Bible is full of examples, including Joseph, Job, Paul, ... and even Jesus.

2. Trails are transforming (3-4). Trials are a part of God's transforming process to bring us to spiritually maturity.

3. Trials are revealing (5-8). Trials reveal many things - namely they reveal our theology (what we know to be true about God). Do we believe that God is great and good even in a trial? Some accuse God - believing God is great, but not good. Some excuse God - believing God is good, but not great (not in control). Some refuse God - failing to believe there is a God, let alone a good or great God. But I opt for the fourth response. I choose God - by faith believing God is both good and great. In times of trial, God invites us to come to him and seek his wisdom.

4. Trials are rewarded (12). The only way out of a trial is through a trial. And God promises to bless and reward those who remain steadfast.

Joy, therefore, is not mustering up a smile, but it is a by-product of embracing the reality that trails are inevitable, transforming, revealing, and rewarded.
· Joseph: what you meant for evil, God meant for good - Genesis 50:20
· Job: my joy in unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One - Job 6:10
· Paul: in all my affliction, I am overflowing with joy - 2 Corinthians 7:4
· Jesus: who for the joy set before him endured the cross - Hebrews 12:2
These men had joy because they had a theology that was rooted in the truth that God is 100% great and 100% good.

May God give us the grace to cling to Him - even during terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.