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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Why? By Bethany

Why?

By Bethany
Have you ever gone through a really tough time (if you haven't, you will) and all you can do is ask God "Why?!"?  My family has been going through a pretty hard time for the last three years, and looking back, it is probably the best thing that could have happened to us.  But, we still had that time of "Why God?  Why did you let this happen?"  In James 1:2-18 you can find an answer:

     Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 
     If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.  Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they  are unstable in everything they do.
     Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.  And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them.  They will fade away like a little flower in the field.  The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away.  In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
     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.  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.  Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions.  And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
     So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.  Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word.  And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Pretty powerful, don't you think?  I mean, wow.  This verse hit it hard on a huge chunk of our everyday problems.  Temptations, trials, divided loyalty, poverty, and the big one, SIN.  But, this verse also says that trials are to be considered an opportunity for JOY!!! How in the world is this possible? you might ask.  Well, for instance, think of a time you were tested.  I mean really tested.  Like losing a parent, family member, friend, your house.  Now, think about the good that came out of that seemingly bad situation.  For example, if you had to move, did you make new friends, get a better house than the one you had before, or maybe even strengthen your faith by learning how to depend on God for your needs and desires, and therefor gaining a better relationship with him?  Or maybe you had a parent pass away.  Even though this may be the hardest thing you have ever gone through, did you take this experience and let it grow your relationship with the best Daddy you will ever have?  Did you use this as something to better enable you to help those who have gone through the same thing?  You see, no matter what you are going through, there is always a way to use it to bring glory to God. 
So what are you waiting for?  Go talk to the One who knows best, ask Him how you can help someone who is going through something similar to your (previous or present) situation, and get out there and make a difference for Him!

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