James 1:2, "Count it all joy, my brothers [and sisters], when you meet trials of various kinds." Do you tend to get happier when things get worse?
It has become increasingly popular over the past few decades to spend time in the gym. Why? To strengthen one's muscles. Is it merely for aesthetics? Sometimes, yes. But did you know that scientific research shows that resistance training is one of the leading ways of staying healthy in old age? So it is in the Christian life. If we want longevity of our faith, we need to go through the hard, testing times. Our faith muscle atrophies when it is not utilised - not only at a level it can handle, but at harder and harder levels as time goes on.
Verses 3-4 says, "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
That may sound impossible, but Jesus told us that not only in rest are we to be yoked to him, but in work as well. Matthew 11:29-30, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Here's the point. We need hard times to strengthen us, but God wants us to allow Jesus to help us do the heavy lifting! So, come to him in prayer today and bring all of your problems before him.
1 Peter 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
It has become increasingly popular over the past few decades to spend time in the gym. Why? To strengthen one's muscles. Is it merely for aesthetics? Sometimes, yes. But did you know that scientific research shows that resistance training is one of the leading ways of staying healthy in old age? So it is in the Christian life. If we want longevity of our faith, we need to go through the hard, testing times. Our faith muscle atrophies when it is not utilised - not only at a level it can handle, but at harder and harder levels as time goes on.
Verses 3-4 says, "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
That may sound impossible, but Jesus told us that not only in rest are we to be yoked to him, but in work as well. Matthew 11:29-30, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Here's the point. We need hard times to strengthen us, but God wants us to allow Jesus to help us do the heavy lifting! So, come to him in prayer today and bring all of your problems before him.
1 Peter 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Posted in Weekly Reflections