Thought-Full Encouragement: Joy in the Midst of Trials

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 James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

How crazy are we to take joy in trials? But we truly learn only from our failures and our trials.  How can you truly appreciate food unless you've been hungry?  Can you really value money if you've always had more then you ever needed? Love if you never felt rejected? Friendship if you've never felt alone?

Think of the virtues of our moral landscape.

        • No Courage without Danger
        • No Patience without Tribulation
        • No Gain with Pain
        • No Character without Adversity
        • No Forgiveness without Sin
These virtues are only considered virtuous because of the sacrifice necessary to achieve them.  Why else do we cheer the hero through blood, pain, and insurmountable odds, as they fight for the good of all?  Why cry when Iron Man dies?  Why grieve when John Q offers himself for the life of another?  Why applaud when the sports underdog triumphs?  Because every good virtue or positive character trait is forged in the fires of the trial. 

So...what shall we say to the challenges in our own lives?  We should allow them to teach us the true love of God, because it creates in us a need for Him.  Without it, we will never seek Him willingly and with an open heart.  Embrace your trials as God molds you into the spiritual being you are destined to become.

As expressed by Annie Flint, a late 19th and early 20th century Christian writer, who suffered from excruciating arthritis and was in continual pain for most of her life; through trial God giveth and giveth again His grace.  I ask, if you can, read this poem out-loud to yourself to feel the power in the words:

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearn His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Graciously,

E. R. Jennings

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