PODCAST
Choosing Joy Above Comfort
October 22nd, 2012
James 1:1-8
James isn’t suggesting we pretend things don’t hurt or that the struggles in life aren’t real. This recognizes that God never commands our emotions. He only commands our will. So James encourages us to focus on the big picture and make a moral choice about our attitude rather than to be controlled by our emotions.
We do this in other areas. Softball players routinely sacrifice their bodies sliding into home or diving for a fly ball. They wear their scrapes and bruises with pride, along with the smell of Bengay. Many times we sweat through the heat of the day and fight fatigue in order to finish a project or task.
James is simply saying that if life were easy, we wouldn’t need a wonderful Savior or the power of the Holy Spirit. However, believers have the privilege of receiving Great Grace for times when the trials of life get tough. That’s worth sacrificing for!
October 22nd, 2012 at 10:17 am
Joy (1 Peter 1:8) comes with the preceiving of the Holy Spirit’s confirmation. For through this confirmation, we “see” what is not visible with the eyes.
Faith never lets you down. It is the lack of faith that brings you down. When something doesn’t go as our human mind thinks it should, we must ask, “How can God get the glory.” The proper evaluation teaches something and joy comes with finding that purpose for the trial.