Rock bottom
Even during trials we can make gains with God
Reference: v.2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
Explore: In this one passage there are so many things that stick out to me, but this familiar verse always seems to strike a cord. The writer of James has clearly endured trials before – maybe severe trials, maybe everyday trials. Yet he is relective enough to see that if we have faith as we go through these trials then we gain perseverance, maturity and wholeness.
Application: I would love to be those kind of people who see the positive side of trials. Unfortunately I do tend to become a bit of a God-whinger when difficulty arises. God probably pulls me through the trial just to stop me whinging to Him! This past year seems to have been particularly difficult. It got to the point when the only positive thing I could see was that I had hit such rock bottom that I didn’t think it could possibly get any worse!However, putting my foolishness aside, I do know that while sorrow, darkness and despair was terribly difficult to endure, it was in these moments that I found myself clinging to the only One who can restore me: my loving Heavenly Father.
Prayer: Lord, it is in the darkness that I truly witness Your Light. Thank you for being there in the good times and the bad, the celebrations and the times of despair. You are eternally generous. Amen.
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.