BITTER OR BETTER?

I read a post from a very dear friend the other day and in it he basically asked, “Is what you’re going through right now making you bitter, or better?”

I don’t know about you, but when things don’t go my way and I’m under pressure, my default setting is to start whining and complaining and getting BITTER! 

James tells us to, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”

What??

Seriously???

PURE JOY???!!

Uhmmm… no.  I have to say, “joy” is definitely not my first response when I’m “facing trials of many kinds.”

And why would it be? I mean, trials are AWFUL! They cause me pain! I’m like Daffy Duck when he says, “I’m not like other people. I can’t stand pain. It hurts me.”

But, James goes on to explain WHY we should consider it “pure joy” when we’re going through things. 

“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.”

Basically, trials are like spiritual push-ups. Yes, they’re hard and may even cause us pain… but they make us STRONGER in the end, and that is our goal. Both Paul and Peter also encourage us to joyfully (Romans 5:3-5) and even intentionally choose to get stronger, (2 Peter 1:5-9) allowing God to discipline us through the trials, because He is treating us as His beloved children. (Hebrews 12:5-8)

We all go through yuck. No one is exempt in this life, but we know that we DO have the strength to endure, because God WILL provide a way for us, (1 Corinthians 10:13) if we look to Him for help instead of just focusing on the yuck. His way may not be the way we want or expect, (it usually isn’t!) but it’s ALWAYS for our benefit. (Jeremiah 29:11)

When we keep our eyes on Him through the storms, (Matthew 14:29-32) and continually reach out and share our hearts with Him in ALL circumstances, will His peace flood us completely (Philippians 4:6-7) and change us from bitter… to better.

In Jesus’ name. 

Amen.

SCRIPTURES

James 1:2-4 ~ 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. (NIV)

2 Peter 1:5-9 - But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:5-8 ~ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. (NIV)

Romans 5:3-5 ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 10:13 ~ No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. (AMP)

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. (NASB)

Matthew 14:29-32 ~  He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (ESV)

Philippians 4:6-7 ~ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)