Dedicated to my son, who has chosen the road less taken, and faces the trials of life.....
In James it tells us that we are to count even our stressful circumstances as joy, and we might ask ourselves how this could be so? But with a closer look we see that it is not the circumstance that we are to be joyful over. We find our joy in knowing that we are in Christ and our reward far out-weighs our losses in this life.
James 1
1: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; {N.I.V.
Consider it pure joy, my brother, whenever you face trials of any kind.}
We can almost always expect trials when we take a step, or leap, of faith. Satan does not attack someone whom he has already had victory over.....
3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
It doesn’t mean that we will never see joyful circumstances. It doesn’t mean that all of life is only about trials and we are doomed to a life of burdens. We will have trials, but we will find those peaceful, sweet,moments along the way, that become an oasis in the midst of an unkind world. Our heavenly Father does not want sorrow for His lambs. But we live in a fallen world, and unhappiness will come to us by worldly hands, and not of our Father's...
5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
When those trials come, we are to give it over to God in faith. We do so knowing the even in the storms, He will work things through in ways that we could never imagine. Does it mean He will always change the circumstances? No, at times He will. At other times He will lead you to triumph right in the middle of those difficult times, which is the greater proof of His faithfulness. That is something that is hard to understand, I know.
Even David cried out in Ps:13:2: How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? And, we know that David was very close to God’s heart.
We have the promise that even though the enemy may triumph today and we have an immediate loss, they are the true losers.
Ps:58:10: The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
So remember, my little lamb, you are loved with an ever lasting love. You have the greater portion. Those who persecute you today are joyless, empty, and lost. Don‘t allow yourself to become bitter, though I know it is a temptation to harden your heart. But it is that precious tenderness that God has given you that makes you truly a man.
I‘m so proud of you, and no matter where you journey in life, God will never change..
