Have you ever considered it joy when you are facing a very difficult situation? I cannot say that I have jumped up and down when facing impossible situations or much pain. "Consider Job," God says to Satan. God literally points Job out to Satan and says, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8). Wow. Thanks God. Thanks for pointing me out, and not only that, giving Satan power over me (not complete power). Yep that's what He did...
Verse 9-12: "Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
You know, when you first get saved, the Lord puts a hedge around you... until He calls you deeper. Then He tests you. Out of the testing, comes pruning, and molding.
Have you considered it joy when you face hardship?
I still have a hard time grasping this concept. At least tonight. Right now. As I sit and contemplate the fact that I will have to face Lyme treatment again... this time, not me, but my eleven year old daughter.... a second round for her. Forgive my grammar tonight, as that's the last on my mind.
Why? Job asked why. Job didn't get a straight answer from God, but his friends seemed to "know it all." I used to wonder why Job and God were so harsh on Job's friends. They seem to have logic in their response. Commit evil and God will punish you. It seems simple, but that's not the truth in this case, nor is it in mine. I have not denied His Name, in fact I've only promoted His name. Job did not curse God either. In fact, Job praises God after Satan's strike against him.
Verse 20-22: At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
How do you react when you face various trials? Do you consider it pure joy as James says? Have you ever considered the fact that God is not only testing you, but He actually believes in you? He sees you. He considers you faithful to Him. He KNOWS you will praise Him in the storms.
Do you consider it joy when you face various trials?
I will go as far as to say, "Be honored that God chose you to walk through this difficult time." He will use you, grow you, and continue to be faithful to you.
"Be joyful in the storm."
Verse 9-12: "Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
You know, when you first get saved, the Lord puts a hedge around you... until He calls you deeper. Then He tests you. Out of the testing, comes pruning, and molding.
Have you considered it joy when you face hardship?
I still have a hard time grasping this concept. At least tonight. Right now. As I sit and contemplate the fact that I will have to face Lyme treatment again... this time, not me, but my eleven year old daughter.... a second round for her. Forgive my grammar tonight, as that's the last on my mind.
Why? Job asked why. Job didn't get a straight answer from God, but his friends seemed to "know it all." I used to wonder why Job and God were so harsh on Job's friends. They seem to have logic in their response. Commit evil and God will punish you. It seems simple, but that's not the truth in this case, nor is it in mine. I have not denied His Name, in fact I've only promoted His name. Job did not curse God either. In fact, Job praises God after Satan's strike against him.
Verse 20-22: At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
How do you react when you face various trials? Do you consider it pure joy as James says? Have you ever considered the fact that God is not only testing you, but He actually believes in you? He sees you. He considers you faithful to Him. He KNOWS you will praise Him in the storms.
Do you consider it joy when you face various trials?
I will go as far as to say, "Be honored that God chose you to walk through this difficult time." He will use you, grow you, and continue to be faithful to you.
"Be joyful in the storm."
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
