Title: Let's Overcome Tests and Trials
overcome trials and tribulations
Text: James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces patience, so that you may complete endurance, that you may be complete and equipped. so that there will be no shortage of anything.”
There was a polio girl in Italy. She was living in tears over her disability. The girl could no longer find meaning in her life, so she took poison in the middle of the night and tried to commit suicide. When I woke up in the morning, my mind was clearer. The mother noticed her daughter's suicide intention and put nutritional supplements in a bottle of poison. The girl jumped into the river the next day, but was caught by the locals and rescued. One day, a friend visits a girl who has lost the meaning of life. “My friend, there must be things no one else can do without you. Why not ask God what it is?” The girl prayed fervently for an answer. And I realized the dignity of my existence. She is now working as a life counselor for a Roman radio station.
Trials make a perfect human being. Trials are good ingredients to enrich your life. All world-class writers have left immortal masterpieces using the ordeal. Those who have made great achievements in history usually bear abundant fruit in their lives when they are faced with extreme suffering. John Bunyan wrote The Journey of an Old Man in an Frozen Prison. Pasteur developed an immune system against disease in a state of hemiplegia.
Francis Parkman, who had poor eyesight, wrote in large letters on a piece of paper, in 20 volumes called 'American History'. Edison was deaf but invented the gramophone, and Milton, although blind, was hailed as Britain's greatest poet. Franklin Roosevelt was disabled but became President of the United States.
History is rewritten by those who bravely faced pain and trials. When a typhoon hits, the chicken buries its head in its wings and shrugs. However, the eagle spreads its wings and uses the wind to gently move it to safety.
The Vikings built large ships when they were tormented by the north wind. Great men have made great achievements in life's crises. The most foolish people in the world are those who wither away from trials as “the curse of God.”
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that comes to try you, as if something strange happened to you, but rejoice in your sharing in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may rejoice and rejoice when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4). : 12, 13)
In trials we face our true selves. I fall on my face at my very fragile appearance and meet the Lord as I am. In the midst of trials, we can finally look back on the paths we have walked, experience true repentance, and gain new strength to walk again. We discover the true value of our lives and who truly loves us. I pray that the trials set before us will train us like gold and be sufficient to accomplish God's beautiful works.
“For our light affliction, which is temporary, works for us an exceedingly great and eternal weight of glory; for we do not look at what is seen, but on what is not seen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17- 18)
Pottery makers never test broken or cracked pottery by tapping it with their fingers. Defective pottery is shattered prior to testing. However, if you make a good piece of pottery, try tapping it with your finger to hear the sound and do some tests. Also, the person who sells hemp will keep beating if he thinks it's good hemp, but he doesn't beat him if he thinks it's bad. This is because good hemp fabrics get better and shiny the more you beat them, but bad hemp fabrics wear out. Even God allows unbelievers to be unbelievers, but He tests loving Christians. This is His way of leading them to bloom into a more mature faith.
What God knocks is an opportunity for our inner man to draw closer to God. The more difficult and difficult it is, the more we pray to God, the source of our strength, and our soul becomes clearer during tribulation and we draw closer to God. Let's draw closer to God, who not only allows us to face these and other trials in our lives, but also gives us the strength to overcome them. Let's look to the Lord and raise our hands only to the Lord.
"My eyes have faded because of my troubles. Every day Nya calls to you, O LORD, and lifts up my hands toward you." (Psalm 88:9)
Even if we are convinced that we have become God's children and live our life of faith with an overwhelming heart, it is difficult because there are trials and temptations. How can we overcome the tests we face? We must remember the word of God. There are two exams. One is the test and trial according to the sins and greed that they have committed, and the other is the test according to God's test. “But each one is tempted, because he is drawn away and deceived by his own lust” (James 1:14). This is a test administered by God. God commanded Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a burnt offering on a mountain in the land of Moriah. This is the test. The common factor that people of faith overcame this test is the fact that they believed and obeyed God's promises. When temptation comes, we must first remember the Word of God. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
God knows how far we can endure. Sometimes, if we are in the midst of tribulation we cannot handle and are frustrated, God will surely help us. Most of the saints pray, "Take this temptation away from me." But elimination is not about winning. So God does not remove temptation. God wants us to fight and overcome the trials by giving us the strength to overcome them. If we believe and pray that God will give us victory, He gives us the power to overcome.
You have to be patient. Even if we face difficulties because of temptations, we can gradually become perfect if we endure little by little. Whether it is a trial from God or a temptation from the devil, we must overcome all trials. Let's look to the Lord. Let's leave it to the Lord. You can win.
“Blessed is he who endures temptation, for he who has endured trials will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
No one in our life lives without suffering. However, through the suffering of suffering, a person gains the valuable things in life. Therefore, it is not at all strange that a fire test is coming to believers who believe in God. When our self-interest is broken through suffering, we live according to the word of God and acknowledge and entrust God in everything. You will also have strong faith. Suffering refines your faith. Our faith is strengthened through refinement. Those who have been tried by trials do not back down and do not give up their faith even when they are tempted into the fire. Furthermore, you will live a holy and pure life. God passes us through suffering so that the dross within us through the fire of temptation and tribulation may be removed and the image of Jesus may be revealed. Therefore, we should turn our trials into opportunities and give thanks to God and persevere in prayer.
* Prayer: God who controls our life and death, give us the power you used to overcome temptation, so that we can overcome all trials and temptations and receive the crown of life! Thank you for God's grace to grow in faith like gold through suffering. Give me the faith to take full joy in the times of adversity and use it as a blessed opportunity. Pray in the midst of trouble and enjoy the grace that God has prepared for you. May we gain greater progress and wisdom through trials. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!