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Category: Suffering Hardship

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Patience’s Perfect Work

” My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4-5)

To some, the words of James drop like a lead balloon. “Can he be serious?”, they say; their question loaded with emotional exasperation from what they’ve been through or what they are going through in this moment. Does he really mean to say that we are to rejoice in every trial and through every test or challenge of life?                                                  

Yes.

“How can I“, comes the reply. We all have a certain tolerance for circumstances beyond our control but there is a limit to what we can bear. What is your threshold? How much is too much – is so much that it changes your outlook and extinguishes your peace?

The problem of pain impacts us all but it’s really the object of our attention during those times and seasons of life that has the most profound impact in our life and the lives of those around us. Our biblical quote above is taken from a Christian, actually from one of the siblings of Jesus Christ. He did not always believe what his half-brother Jesus said or declared about Himself but one day that changed. His begins his exortation by assigning it to his audience and calls that audience, “my brethren.”

His brethren is a reference not only to people who were but also to those who in these days also are believers in Jesus Christ. Now, the fact is that mankind is born to trouble as sparks fly upward (Job 5:7); in other words there are certain things that afflict believer and non-believer alike: cancer, sudden loss of a loved one or child, (sadly) divorce, loneliness, abandonment of one sort or another, grief in its various forms, economic hardship, layoff etc. But Christians the world over and for two millenia have also faced scorn, hatred, pressure and persecution from family, friends, coworkers, despots, national leaders and other religions just for believing in the name of Jesus and saying so both in word and action. In the midst of such trials of faith James tells believers to rejoice.

One reason for our joy should stem from the fact that every time our faith is put to the test and we patiently endure it our faith is strengthened. Just as a weight lifters strength is increased by adding more weight to the bar and repetitiously straining and lifting the weight, so a Christians faith is strengthened by every trial that does not kill him or her. Another reason for joy in these trials is that the goal of each is to mature us spiritually. Every successful test brings the Christian that much closer to the goal of being like Christ.

So our joy under pressure stems from the two things which our trials produce: endurance and Christian maturity. These are the perfect works of patience. But, when the trial is great, the pressure is high and the time is dragging on and on it helps to have our mind focused on Him who under great trial, anguish and suffering endured the cross and bore its shame (Heb. 12:2) for our souls sake. You see, in my mind, the only way to consider let alone endure any trial or test of faith with an attitude of joy is to focus on Him who went through all of that for us. Jesus is our Savior! Heaven is our home! These trials will come to an end but until then train your mind on a focal point beyond the pain: turn your eyes upon Jesus.

I like the hymn that reminds me of today’s verse: Andre Crouch’s ” Through it all;” part of that songs lyrics are the following words:

“I’ve had many tears and sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.

“Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.

“Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”

A good way to end this short study I think…

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Green Pastures…Still Waters

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” (Psalm 23)

Green pastures…still waters – you can just about hear the gentle breeze blowing in the trees and through the grass as the water gently passes by; it just doesn’t get much better than that – this is a picture of the peace of God.  I love that picture don’t you? If such a place as that spoken of in this passage is the only place where we may find peace and rest for our souls you and I are in deep trouble because it’s a rare occasion that we get to a place like that.

Does that mean that we can’t have the peace that David spoke of in these verses?

No, the peace of God is not circumstantial –it isn’t dependent on where you’re at physically; it is dependent on where you are spiritually.  The peace from God is first a mindset that comes from a confidence that all will be well and that confidence comes from trust.  Isaiah said of God, [Isa.26:3] “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  King David, the ‘under-shepherd’ of God’s people Israel wrote this psalm as a dependent follower of the living God; his mind was stayed on, concentrated on, and focused upon – God. No matter what was happening on the outside, he had peace because it was his God rather than his circumstances that gave him peace.

Think about that for a moment.

The pandemic affecting the world has led to the shut down of nearly everything. Some people haven’t stopped working – truckers, first responders, doctors, nurses and others in the medical profession, retailers and grocers to name a few, but the majority of us have been told to stop and stay home. But what if what most of us have viewed as a negative situation could really be for our good? When He makes us to lie down, when He gives us a moment to rest in green grass – what do you do? You only have two choices: you can choose to lie down OR you can choose to refuse to lie down.

God uses, He turns, He makes “…all things work together FOR GOOD to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Even something like what the world is going through right now.

What is the Lord’s purpose in THIS moment that we are all going through?

Consider the fact that some of you, prior to this “storm” were complaining about how tired you were. Some of you, prior to this “season” were so busy that your spiritual life was suffering; some of you were so busy that your family life was suffering and some of you were so busy that your marriages were suffering. Some of you, prior to this moment were longing to get closer to God but because you were so busy could never find the time.

In this moment, He has slowed you down. In this moment, He has caused you to lie down. In this moment, He has given you an opportunity to rest yourself, an opportunity to repair your relationships and an opportunity to search for, listen to and hear Him.

Have you slowed down or are you now complaining about what might happen because you’re not busy at work? He has given you a moment to catch up, check up and listen up – are you?

Like some of you, I’m pretty stubborn – I like to be in control of my life. When I’m told to sit down, I want to stand up. When I’m told to be silent, I want to talk. I’m the guy who thinks to himself after he’s been told to sit down, “I’m sitting on the outside but I’m standing up on the inside!”  All joking aside, the reality is that like it or not, God IS in control – not you and not me. Jesus told us not to worry. Why, because it changes nothing. He said in (Matthew 6:27): “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Worry changes nothing but your attitude and your health – stress kills – worry fixes nothing.

Considering the opening statement in (Psalm 23), can you say that the Lord is YOUR Shepherd?

If He is, let Him lay you down to rest; don’t worry, don’t let your wants consume your thoughts – be content in this moment. If the Lord is YOUR Shepherd, let Him lead you beside still waters and restore your soul (v.2-3) – draw near to Him, seek Him, find your rest in Him; let Him turn even this moment into something good in your life.

Is He your Shepherd? Let His presence in your life comfort you (v.4) – because He IS with you, you need not fear.

Is this moment REAL?  Yes.

Is Almighty God MORE REAL? Yes.

Is our Great God MORE THAN ABLE?  Yes, His word declares that HE is able to deliver us either FROM the fire (see Daniel 3:17) or THROUGH it (see Daniel 3:22-26).

It is not my intention to diminish or dismiss the seriousness of this season into which the whole world finds itself. But neither can I diminish or dismiss that He who is God over both the hills and the valleys of life IS also IN CONTROL!

What is God’s purpose in this moment for you? For some, it is a time to rest, for others it may be a time to restore relationships and reflect on Him who saved you and also for others it may be a time to finally repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ. Take the time! Use it for the purpose for which it has been given! Whatever the purpose, the opportunity may not come your way again.

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Resting Assured in a Season of Uncertainty

Lately, I’ve been reading posts from people about how uncertain their lives have become due to the onslaught of the Covid19 virus. People are uncertain about their jobs, their future, their health and the health of others; they are uncertain about the things they’ve been hearing from leaders, social media, news outlets and even their neighbors – they are uncertain if they’ll have enough food and supplies to weather this pandemic, unclear as to how long it will last and just as unclear of what to expect once its over.

Prior to the current pandemic most of us had a confidence about tomorrow using a kind of emotional barometer which led us to believe that because we had a job today we’d have it tomorrow or because we or a loved one was alive and well today we or they would be alive tomorrow; but does ANYBODY really KNOW what tomorrow holds?

There is One who does – Almighty God knows the end from the beginning:

“Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,And I will do all My pleasure…” (Isaiah 46:9–10)

The God who knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) hold tomorrow in the palm of His hand (Psalm 139:16, James 4:13) and commands the rising and setting of the sun (Job 9:4-8). Our God and His Son Jesus Christ are the SAME yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In a world of uncertainty, He is a constant that you can turn to and count on! He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) His presence is a constant in our lives during seasons of crisis and during seasons of calm (Psalm 46:1; Hebrews 13:5). The words He spoke and the promises He’s made are all “yes and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20) – they are guaranteed! (see Romans 15:8-12)

Frankly, before we believed in Jesus Christ, Almighty God was as He has been – He never changes (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17). But, prior to our faith in Jesus Christ we only knew one thing – that one day each of us would cease to be. We didn’t know when or how but we knew that everyone eventually breathes his or her last. When we came to trust in the Lord (assuming you have) we gained access to a whole host of otherwise inaccessible constants or “sure things” – things which can give you peace amid the uncertainty.

I would like to remind those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ of some constants that we CAN cling to in these uncertain days:

  • God is in control:

“But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” (Psalm 115:3)

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“(His Son), who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” (Hebrews 1:2-3)

  • God will not and has not forsaken us: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:10)
  • Jesus who died for our sins and rose from the dead will return again for us before He judges the world:

““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1–3)

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10)

  • Through faith in Jesus Christ, death – whenever that may be – DOES NOT HAVE THE LAST WORD in our lives: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)
  • God’s promises (as we’ve already said) like His person and character NEVER change or fail.

A time may come in the future, when we might be caught off-guard and taken by surprise (as many were this time) by a crisis of some kind and as a result, lose sight of the constancy of Christ and His promises but that does not and can not change the FACT that He IS an unfailing, eternal God who has made and eternal promise to those who believe in Him!

So sinner and saint alike – believer and unbeliever alike:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.“

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Help for A Rainy Day

It is easy to offer advice to people going through trying times, just say a few words and “bam” you feel that you’ve done your part and hope that they feel encouraged. Such an approach to the suffering of others reminds me of what the half-brother of Jesus said in (James 2:15-16):

“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

Am I saying that we really can’t help others until “we’ve walked a mile in their shoes?” No, but the reality is that our words of empathy, understanding and compassion can lack a certain authenticity – it is often as the words of the bereaved state to the one who says “I know how you feel” – “no, you don’t.”

The Lord has been working on me regarding this subject lately and He used a well-known quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Rainy Day” to start it off:

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Rain, as you may know, is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse. So as to not keep what I mean veiled behind the word, by rain I mean to point to the challenging moments in our lives that change our life’s trajectory either permanently or for a season and which, if allowed, cause us to lose track of our identity and purpose.

With regard to the rain, we don’t get to chose when it comes, whether it drops from the clouds or it takes the form of an unwelcome diagnosis or announcement; it comes as it pleases with the permission of the Lord and the best any of us (especially those who trust in the Lord) can do in advance of the rainy day or the storms of life is to remain focused on Jesus Christ and the promises found in His word.

Well, as I said, the Lord has been dealing with me on the subject of dealing with the rainy days of life by taking me through my own and reminding me that the rainy days of life DO NOT have the last word; He used the following Biblical passages to bring me back to the right perspective:

  • When you want to give in to hopelessness, “Be STRONG in the Lord, in the power of His might!” Ephesians 6:10 (emphasis mine)
  • LEARN “to be content in whatever state you are in…” (Philippians 4:11)
  • ACCEPT adversity from God: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)
  • BELIEVE that: “God shall supply all your NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
  • When you think you’re alone REMEMBER that “…He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
  • Because the Lord IS with you, keep the faith: “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:23–26)

The word of God contains multitudes more encouragement for those experiencing an extended season of difficulty. I offer these because it is easy to get caught in the rain (so to speak) and to become so overwhelmed and inwardly focused that we may fail to worship God for who He is; praise Him for what He is doing and serve Him in the work He has for us.

The rut of hopelessness and despair only gets deeper if we fail to recall to mind the Lord’s word and heed it when the rainy days come.

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