Troubles Are Good?

​Troubles are Good?
Read James & Jude
 
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
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James 1:12-13 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
 
DO you enjoy the trials in your life? Of course you don’t. Trials are debilitating, hurtful events and circumstances that diminish your energy for positive living and destroy your ability to enjoy life. What do you think would happen to your mind and your attitude if you counted your trials as joy? Quite simply, you would change.
   Yes, when you understand James’ teaching here, you will see trials as an integral part of life. As you trust God through each day, a deep sense of well-being will rule your heart. Little things and big things against you won’t upset you. They will be a way you can experience God’s tender, firm and strong hand guiding you through each day. You will be thankful for the little blessings and the ordinary goodness of each day. Finding joy in trials will ease your mind. You wouldn’t have to worry because you don’t worry about joyful things. You accept them, learn from them and become more secure as God’s chosen child.
   Finding joy in trials, you would also live with expectation. You would realize that such a mindset would lead to a special blessing from God! Imagine that! God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Your earthly trials will lead to a special blessing God has planned for you if you patiently endure your trials. Yes, you will receive a crown of life! Such faith will open your life to receive God’s blessing now, preparing you for a life of joy with him in heaven forever.
 
A Blessing and A Benediction
 
Jude 2 May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.
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Jude 24-25 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
 
JUDE – a half-brother of Jesus – begins this short letter with a blessing. What better gift could come to people in the church than to experience and enjoy more and more mercy, peace, and love? A life filled with these blessings is a life responding to God’s gracious salvation. And it is a life that gracefully offers mercy, peace and love to others. When you have it, you can’t keep it!
   Be careful to guard this blessing. Many will come along to attack your beliefs. They will test your commitment to your Lord. And you will be tempted to turn from God’s
gracious gifts because our sin nature is to desire something more.
   Always remember who you worship. Listen to Jude’s benediction in verses 24-25. In Jesus Christ, your Savior, is glory, majesty, power and authority. Jesus’ glory is the honor we give him because he has paid the price for our sin. Jesus’ majesty is his Kingship. He reigns over all the earth. Jesus’ power cancels sin, judges wrong and welcomes his own into his Kingdom. Jesus’ authority is to be feared. He has the final say on who enters into his eternal heaven.
   Yes, as you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have received mercy, peace and love. Nurture these wonderful gifts lavished on you. These blessings will abundantly grow in you as you often give them to others.