Our discussion in class will center a lot on James 1:2-3 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." ESV John MacArthur says that in the original Greek, the word for trials connotes trouble, or something that breaks the pattern of peace, comfort, joy and happiness in someone's life. No offense to original language and all of that, but isn't that kind of...broad? I mean there are trials, and there are TRIALS. There are the kind of trials that make you roll your eyes and are slightly inconvenient. I guess if that's all it takes to break our pattern of peace that's a whole different issue. There are the kind of trials that seem to go on and throw us into a bit of a spin for a while. But then, sometimes, there are trials that send us to our knees and on our faces before God with such force we can barely stand it. Now THOSE are some trials. When just taking a breath can seem like such an effort. When questions of "why" and "how" don't have answers and what in the world are we supposed to do with all of this pain?
Lord, may we be always be aware of your presence through our trials and through our TRIALS. May we be encouragers to one another in the face of such things. May the distance between standing and kneeling be just a few millimeters as we cling to you for understanding, guidance, peace, comfort. Surround us with people who will point us straight to you. Remind us by the second of who you are...and of who WE are in you. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Amen.
What about you? What helps you during times of trial?
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