Brad,
    Thanks for this e-mail.  It is very encouraging and is always good to be
reminded of why we go through these trials of our life.  I know this very
well because I have learned it through life.  I am so thankful for how far
the Lord has brought me and how I still have the joy, at least I try to keep
the joy.

Thanks,
Amy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad D" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 9:00 AM
Subject: Trials, tribulations, Tests


> A thought while reading this morning in James. I love that book *smile*.
>
> "James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve
> tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my
> brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of
> your faith produces endurance." --James 1:1-3
>
> I've read this many times, sometimes while in the midst of difficulty and
> sometimes just to remind me of how ought react when I do run across
> difficult times. I've noticed before that this scripture says to consider
> trials as joy because we are then strengthened by those trials, I noticed
> today what this  scripture doesn't say however. There are two things it
> doesn't say, one I noticed before but I'll jot it down anyway, and the
> other aspect will follow.
>
> It mentions that "when" we encounter trials, not "if" we encounter trials.
> Perhaps this seems like a gloomy thought, that we will definitely
> encounter things in life we will suffer and struggle through, and we will
> not escape rough times, but I am somewhat of a mixture between and
> optimist and a realist. A realist when things are rolling along fine, and
> an optimist when it is time to batten down the hatches as the storm
> approaches and the winds begin. It would be nice if we, being God's kids,
> were protected from the affects of the world here, but the point is "bad
> things happen to good people". Friends and relatives pass on, some knowing
> Christ, and some not. People steal from us, damage our property, our
> feelings, our will, our relationships. We even drag ourselves through mud
> if we have a mind to. Fact is, we will experience struggles just like the
> scripture says when it says "when" you do, not "if" you do. That is a very
> wise thing to know that a preparation of mind set and faith can keep us
> protected in faith that we do not begin to doubt or waiver.
>
> The second thing I noticed today when reading which is a continuation of
> the thought of not wavering, was that it said that trials are the
> "testing' of your faith brings endurance, and not the "killing" of your
> faith. How many times have we seen in life, folks we know who seem to be
> believers yet when  a close relative dies or something bad happens, they
> walk away from faith. What separates us from them? Without entering
> judgement, I can only consider my own faith and consider, pray, and ask
> God that what I have is a genuine faith, given and strengthened by God,
> when such times counter attack it. If it indeed is faith of and in God, I
> indeed can consider trials as joy because I know that what ever happens in
> this life, I am in the care of God, that the "killing" of my faith or
> relationship is not an option, and according to God's word, this
> scripture, enduring such trials will only make me stronger. So then with
> the knowledge that trials bring strength to our faith, ought we then look
> to enter trials purposefully? No, just as we are forgiven for sin, we
> ought not purposefully enter sin. We then would be testing God. Just as
> the Scripture continues to talk about wisdom, and if you do not have it,
> ask for it and he'll give it to you. Wisdom keeps us from entering such
> purposefully or ignorantly.
>
> So next we find ourselves in the midst of a trial, a rough time in life,
> it will indeed strengthen us if we do in fact consider it a joyful
> strengthening of our faith with the full knowledge that God is with us and
> will see us through it. Albeit might not be as we expect in every or any
> situation but nonetheless we will come out smiling joyful with God's hand
> on our life. How much more pleasantly and less stressfully can we endure
> trials if we consider it a joyful thing  even in the midst of it, rather
> than not. It never said it would be easy, but God knows we are built to
> have need to look towards a safe haven in the future of a situation, or
> feel hopeless, therefore inspired such scripture and indeed the entire
> gospel message of hope for us beyond this physical life.
>
> Brad