James 1:2-4 States 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 doesn’t say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes that we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain, but to have a positive outlook (consider it pure joy) because of what trials can produce in our lives, James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance. We can’t really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? God wants to make us mature and complete. Not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with us in our rough times. Ask him to help us solve our problems or to give us the strength to endure them. Than be patient. God will not leave us alone with our problems; he will stay close and help us grow.
Posts Tagged ‘Happiness’
Spiritual Training 23 November 2010
Posted: November 23, 2010 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, Bible Study, Churches in Maryland, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, Happiness, Healing, Inspiration, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Maryland Churches, Personal Growth, Security, Uncategorized, winningTags: Bible Study, Complimenting, Daily Motivation, Encourgment, Happiness, Inspiration, Memorization, Motivation, power, Spiritual Food for the Day
Completely open with God
Posted: August 2, 2010 in Battle of the Mind, Bible Study, Fear, Fear of rejection, Happiness, Inspiration, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Personal Growth, Security, UncategorizedTags: Fear of rejection, Happiness, Justice, Security, Spiritual Food for the Day
In 1 Chronicles 28:9 We read that the Lord searches every heart. Nothing can be hidden from God. He sees and understands everything in our hearts. David found this out the hard way when God sent Nathan to expose David’s sins of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12). David told Solomon to be completely open with God and dedicated to him. It makes no sense to try to hide any thoughts or actions from an all-knowing God. This should cause us joy, not fear, because God knows even the worst about us and loves us anyway.
Follow All Commands of the Lord your God
Posted: August 2, 2010 in Battle of the Mind, Bible Study, Daily Motivation, Encourgement, Fear, Happiness, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Security, UncategorizedTags: Happiness, Justice, Security, Spiritual Food for the Day
David told Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:8 to be careful to follow every one of God’s commands to to ensure Israel’s prosperity and the continuation of David’s descendants upon the throne. It was the king’s solemn duty to study and obey God’s laws. The teachings of Scripture are the keys to security, happiness, and justice, but you’ll never discover them unless you search God’s Word. It we ignore God’s will and neglect his teaching, anything we attempt to build, even if it has God’s name on it, will be headed for collapse. Get to know God’s commands through regular Bible study, and find ways to apply them consistently.