From Sunday Morning
by Pastor Nave on May 22, 2016
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2–4, KJV).
Trouble is Going to Come
In life, everyone will endure trouble—it is inevitable (Job 14:1) and God will send rain on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45). Jesus warned His disciples that they would experience tribulation, but to be of good spirits because He would overcome the world (John 16:33).
Trouble is Real
The trouble we experience in our life will start to shape our perceptions because trouble is a very real and tangible part of everyday life. Trouble will impact us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Scripture tells us having a wounded (troubled) spirit is hard to bear (Proverbs 18:14). Some trial wounds cut deep into the innermost parts of our lives (Proverbs 26:22). If we allow it, trouble will have a negative influence on our life.
Counting Offenses
While Scripture tells us to consider trouble in our life as a good thing, we don’t typically spring for this emotion. Instead, we become offended by the trials and troubles we endure in this world. We need to realize we are people who are full of the Holy Ghost. And, if we walk in the Spirit of God, we can let the Spirit handle our troubles (Romans 8:1–5). We can either allow the Spirit to reign in our life or our flesh.
God has told us many times He will heal our broken hearts and bind our wounds (Psalms 147:3). Offenses don’t belong to us; they belong to God. We need to cast every care upon Him. We cannot continue to take ownership of the troubles in our life!
Counting it as Joy
We need to choose to count our troubles as joy. When troubles come our way we can view them as trauma or an opportunity. When we “consider” the situation, we give way for God to do something joyful in our life. Trouble’s main purpose is to rob us of our joy, but we can cling to that joy and keep it in our life regardless of what we might face.
Jesus provided the perfect example in how we can view our troubles. Jesus looked at the joy that was before Him and endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). David, a man after God’s own heart, also provided an example for us to follow. He looked at his own situations but choose to have joy in remembering the blessings of the Lord’s hand (Psalms 77:10).
Making the Right Choice
If we struggle in how we will deal with life’s troubles, we know we can find the answer in the presence of the Lord (Psalms 77:13). Being around God’s people can help give us the right perspective. Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ can help us hold to the joy that’s in our life and to turn our future troubles into joy
And, if we stay in His presence, God will help remind us He will take our trouble and work all trouble for our good (Romans 8:28). We have a choice in how we’re going to deal with trouble, but the right choice is to let go and to let God come in and have His way.
