Trials

I heard one of the best sermons in church yesterday. Maybe I should rephrased it, not maybe the best. But rather something that hit home.

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

James 1: 2- 4

Pastor Andrew Gardener from The Vine( the church we currently attend) preached on trials and difficult times that Christians go through. He said something like, imagine James with a cheesy smile when he wrote consider pure joy whenever you face trials. And imagine people telling you the same thing with a cheesy smile. And I thought, that is just so true. Each time I go through difficult situation, and when someone points out this passage to them, I do want to punch them in the face. But the reality is that when James wrote this, God through James was pointing out a bigger picture that kinda hit home for me yesterday.

Pastor Andrew went on to share how difficult times in his life really made him see this passage clearer. When I was growing up, I used to look at my friends that come from really firm Christian families and tell them, 'you don't know what I'm going through because you have a steadfast Christian family.' Well, Pastor Andrew grew up in one of those but his reality hit him and his faith shook when things happened to him. And in that perspective I'm seeing that, yes, every Christian goes through trials and difficult situations and not everyone shares and let you know their situations and therefore it's not fair to say, your life is so easy.

When I was at uni, I had to wait on tables for like maybe 20 to 30 hours a week to make sure I can pay rent, get food and yes, I admit, go clubbing. I used to look at friends wistfully and wish that my parents had enough money to pay for everything and buy me a car too. But well, that didn't happen. And during those difficult times, I ask myself, why? And in my somewhat difficult childhood, I often asked God why me? Why put me through shit? And are you having a laugh about it? When I sat through that sermon, I heard it, 'testing of your faith produces perseverance'. And I thought, yes, very true. I can persist through a lot of things and persevere quite well. And I believe its through what I've been through that my faith in God has grown a lot and that I know that whatever that I went or am going through will make me a stronger Christian through Christ.

Thank you, Lord

Thank you, Lord,

for the trials that come my way.

In that way I can grow each day

as I let you lead,

And thank you, Lord,

for the patience those trials bring.

In that process of growing,

I can learn to care.

But it goes against the way

I am to put my human nature down

and let the Spirit take control of all I do.

'Cause when those trials come,

my human nature shouts the thing to do;

and God's soft prompting

can be easily ignored.

I thank you, Lord,

with each trial I feel inside,

that you're there to help,

lead and guide me away from wrong.

'Cause you promised, Lord,

that with every testing,

that your way of escaping is easier to bear.

But it goes against the way

I am to put my human nature down

and let the Spirit take control of all I do.

'Cause when those trials come,

my human nature shouts the thing to do;

and God's soft prompting

can be easily ignored.

I thank you, Lord,

for the victory that growing brings.

In surrender of everything

life is so worth while.

And I thank you, Lord,

that when everything's put in place,

out in front I can see your face,

and it's there you belong.

- Dan Burgess

While I was mulling over the sermon, Joel, whom I've known for years from Galilee wrote a note and pasted this song on Facebook. And it came at such an apt time because I was thinking of it too. I'm drawn to believe that God wants me to share this. I loved this song very much when I was in Youth Fellowship. Whenever shit hits the fan, the song comes to mind. And yes, it's through difficult times that I become stronger. I don't expect my parents or Babe to buy me things. If I want something, I've learnt that I've to work and buy it myself. However, if Babe or my parents buy it for me, I'll be grateful. I'm not the kind that envy what my friends' husbands buy for them or what they have. And I'm glad because God has guided and taught me. And its these processes in life that has matured me a little, strengthened our marriage and relationships between family and friends. Thanks for the sermon. Thanks for the reminder that God bring trials and difficult situations for reasons and sometimes I understand the reasons and sometimes I may never understand the reasons but am still thankful that God is leading me and strengthening my faith for what's to come in the future. Thank you, Lord.