Trials and Tribulations – Count it all Joy
James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him.” James 1:12
I find that when outward situations arise, if they are viewed from the eyes of the Spirit, things are Counted as all Joy.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
I do not know what God’s Will is, but I can be rest assured in knowing that it is always Good, Righteous and Just. I also can feel confident in saying that His Will includes the saving of souls. These things can always be counted on, in my humble opinion.
Thus, during trials and tribulations, if we look at things through the eyes of the Spirit, we can come up with the possibilities of what God is aiming towards. For instance, when trials and tribulations are happening, is it consequence of sin, rebellion or disobedience to Him? Is it an area that I personally need growth in? Is it saving a soul? Is a testimony being built? Is it giving someone the opportunity to show Him?
Sure, we can easily fall into the snare from the evil one and be trapped into fleshy thoughts. What good does it profit? Do we end up feeling any better? Do we help God’s plan by falling into the snare? Are we helping those around us to see God? The flesh profiteth nothing, this, we can always count on. Thus, if knowing the flesh profits nothing, then we know these are snares and traps, to move our souls away from God. So in the end, it’s ultimately our choice on what we ‘set our minds to’, items of the flesh or items of the Spirit. Our salvation is our choice… God wants our souls to be saved, but we have the free will to allow Him to do so or not.
Count it all Joy. I trust in the Father that He is doing something that is Glorious, Righteous, Good and Just. I don’t know what or why’s of any situation, but through the Spirit, I see all Joy. Through the flesh’s mind, I see nothing but problems. From my standpoint, a trial for a soul is exactly that, a trial. We are being tried to see where we go with it. We are continually tried for our own well being and growth.. i.e. to mark up one more notch on the belt of growth. If we choose unwisely, then now the trials and tribulations become an issue and once in that snare, growth is stagnant and we hinder not only our own growth, but those of others.
Father, the God of all that is Righteous, Just, Good and Glorious. I bless you for my trials and tribulations. Without them, I would not be as close to you… as close to you as I choose to be – through realizing that I have a choice in what I set my mind on. These things are good, very good. WIthout your Grace, Mercy, Perseverance, Love, Patience, and most importantly, your Son, our Savior… we would surely die. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Lord. Thank you Thank you Thank you. I give you all the praise in all situations because I know you are doing what is good for my soul. Thank you for giving me the wisdom to see these things so that my soul can be formed more into His image for my own and other’s salvations. To you all the Glory, in the Name of your Glorious Son and our Loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
