GROWING THROUGH ADVERSITY
James 1:12
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Pete and Steve came back to camp right at dark with stories of more muskies than they had ever dreamed of. My two boys Ryan and Nick get excited and Ryan, Nick and Pete began making plans for the next morning's fishing. The three of them had to walk in quite a way through the thick woods, carrying, all of their gear, plus 2 gas tanks and more. They were already tired when they got to the boats. After a day of casting big lures, fighting huskies and hauling gear back to camp... the guys were fighting to stay awake at the dinner table. It was a terribly hard trek into the lake... but it was worth it.
The Christian life can be like that mountain, we know that it's going to take some hard work and occasionally some heartache to get to where God wants to bring us, but it will be worth it when we get there.
Consider the life of Job. God allowed Job to go through some horrific circumstances. God didn't cause those troubles but He allowed them to happen. Job went through things that I hope to never have to face, but when he made it through he was closer to God and he was blessed beyond what he had prior to the testing.
If I asked all of the readers of this today if they would want to live a trouble free life, I bet all would say, "yes please". But what would it really be like if we never faced opposition or a rough road? Life would be a little boring. Consider driving through the Colorado mountains, it can be tough going at times, but after 8 hours of straight, flat roads in Nebraska and eastern Colorado, that rough going is beautiful.
Recently I heard an illustration on the radio... "While the congregation sat with their eyes closed a pastor had someone play a song on the piano using only the white keys. Then he had them play the same song using both the white and black keys. The pastor then asked the congregation, 'which was more beautiful?'. Everyone thought that the second was far more beautiful. This illustrates that we could go through life with only the bright white circumstances, but, when we face some darker/harder times it gives us a much more beautiful future.
In Genesis 37 we read about Joseph who was much loved by his father. His brothers were very jealous and sold him into slavery. He faced extremely hard times for a while, but he grew from his experiences and became a very high ranking official. God took something that seemed like a disaster, and when His child persevered through it, He turned it into a tremendous blessing.
Whatever you and I are facing today, remember the words from James 1:2-4. Trusting God has a plan far greater than the trouble we're currently facing, push forward knowing that what is coming will be a blessing that far overshadows the hardship we're dealing with today.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
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