James 1:2-3 (NLT)Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
There is no more challenging sound than the voice of an adult whose whining. Everybody’s got something to deal with but people who whine want a way out of every difficulty. It’s a cry for a life filled with events and people we’d prefer. Not to say that we shouldn’t vent and voice our opinions every once in a while, but a person who thinks that they have it worse than everyone else has lost a critical point.
“A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted” (unknown author). Life has a lot of trouble to offer and we have our quiver full of opportunity to grow up in grace and understanding. We don’t usually volunteer for trouble, but it finds us anyway. The question is, ‘what state are we in when trouble comes and how do we act as trouble lingers?’ When trouble shows up it’s a time to take out our proverbial pen and paper and begin to take note of what God is doing. We’re never in our troubles for nothing. There’s something to learn. This is when we can notice who God has around us, what behaviors and issues push our buttons, and become more aware of our weak spots.
Trouble exposes who we really are. It’s an opportunity to grow our spiritual senses (Hebrews 5:14) and develop some backbone to navigate the rugged terrain of life. We can grow if we want to grow or we can become stagnant and of little use, if that’s our choice. Difficulties can box us in or expand our awareness of who God is, what He’s up to, and how we can grow in our understandings of life and living. When we say, “God, what are you trying to teach me?” we’re opening ourselves to greater levels of wisdom. Our minds actually expand as He exposes our issues, tells us the truth and provides strength and direction. Over time, we’ll realize that what used to bother us doesn’t bother us anymore and what used to bring us to our knees in desperate acts of begging prayer, makes us bow our heads and raise our hands in thanksgiving and praise.
There’s a way to go through trouble that builds our faith, produces character, and prepares us to be a blessing to others. So, when trouble comes, let it be an opportunity to trust God to do His good work in us and through us and let’s take good, faith-building notes.
Prayer
Lord, We’re not asking for trouble, but when it comes we want to know everything you want to teach us. Help us to see you in our difficulties, to depend on you and talk to you as we face trials, and to remember that you’re ever present and working on our behalf. Teach us to recognize the good in our challenges, today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Live well,
Michele