James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
There are four essentials for victory in trials: A joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a surrendered will, and a heart that wants to believe.
If we value comfort more than character, trials will upset us --- material and physical more than the spiritual, we won’t be able to “count it all joy” --- the present more than the future, trials will make us bitter, not better.
Job had the right outlook when he said, “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).
So when trials come, immediately give thanks to the Lord and adopt a joyful attitude. Don’t pretend; don’t try self-hypnosis; simply look at trials through the eyes of faith.
Faith is always tested—Testing works for us, not against us—Trials, rightly used, help us to mature.
Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their permission.
