Dealing With The Unexpected

“ …. count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways..” — James 1:2-8

Have you ever been in the place when your life was in its “groove”?  Things were humming right along. Harmony in the family, things going well at work, bills are getting paid, everyone is healthy. You don’t really have any problems, not like some people you know. And then it happens. Something unexpected – perhaps even catastrophic. You didn’t realize just how fragile your life was – is – things start falling like dominoes. In the military we called that event a “center of gravity”, some facet of a country that, if defeated, would cause the “house of cards” to come crashing down.  Even those things that were considered to be invulnerable. Who would of thought.  The same thing happens to people.  People have “centers of gravity”. Life is fragile. Those things that we thought could survive any trouble crumble under the pressure of the trouble that has come upon us. 

What I speak of happens to all people whose bodies are held to the soil of this planet by gravity, Christian or not.  Consider God’s servant Job!  However comma there is a difference for us Christians. It is called faith and eternal relationship with the Creator God.  Like Job. To persevere even when the “cards” are falling all around us – when the dominoes are falling – when the weight of the trouble seems more than we can bear – it is our faith that can sustain us.  The idea of weight lifting is that you lift weight that tests your muscles ability to resist the weight – to overcome it. The more your muscles are tested – the stronger they become. You have heard the saying, “No pain, no gain”? Well weight lifting is not pain free. If you lift weights that do not test your muscles, then you muscles will not get stronger – and you will avoid the pain associated with muscle development. 

The Apostle Paul did not say “if” you fall into trials, he said “when”.  They are unavoidable.  They will come in one form or another. The question is , “How will you respond when they do?”  Troubles will exercise your faith.  For some they will blame God for allowing it to happen – but for others they will seek God for the strength – through faith – to persevere even under the weight of the trial that has come upon them.  Listen, this is not something that can be figured out. Some step by step process – I can’t write a self-help book, “Overcoming problems for Dummies!” Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God..” – Psalm 43:5

And that is my encouragement to you, Christian. Have faith – trust in the God who has saved you through that very faith. Know that the trial you are in will strengthen you faith – even if you are not saved from it, but must instead see it through.  Let me close by reminding you of the fruit of the Spirit which is a reflection of a tested faith. You will bear this fruit in spite of your circumstances because it is supernatural – poured out in your life by God grace and mercy.

“…. the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. …… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-23, 25

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone