How Are You Handling Your Problem?

Trouble Be My Friend
Meditations in the Book of James

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” – James 1:2

“Be happy,” says the Living Bible “when (not if) your life is full of difficulties and temptations.” Human wisdom rejoices when we escape trouble, but James teaches that there is a reason and purpose for our problem.

Why should a Christian have trouble? The short answer is because the Lord has purposed it to be so for our eternal benefit. That makes it a cause of rejoicing. Here is FAITH IN ACTION.

James emphasizes that we are not to be overcome by resentment, but we must joyfully consider trouble an opportunity to test our faith. Our joy demonstrates our FAITH in our SOVEREIGN GOD.

The “root of bitterness” can grow into a great TREE OF DESTRUCTION and destroy many lives, but it can never flourish where joy fills the heart. “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” – Heb 12:15.

We may not understand WHY, but we know WHO IS IN CONTROL and we can trust Him. The choice is ours – we may react to trouble with misery and resentment (UNBELIEF) – or with joy and confidence in our Heavenly Father and our Savior.

How are you handling your problem?

Val Waldeck
Excerpt from His Eye Is On The Sparrow

His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional