Looking at Life's Problems Though a New Lens

October 20, 2023

“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)

Why on Earth would James consider problems as an opportunity to rejoice? 

We can rejoice in the midst of trials because we know what trials can

produce in our lives. How do you learn how to handle pressure and build

up endurance? You experience situations that build it. When we allow

God to work in us, trials can actually build up our endurance. They can

make us more like Jesus. 

You see, the enemy wants to use your problems to defeat you, but God wants to use your problems to develop you. 

YOU get to choose how you respond to problems. Will you allow them to

defeat you, or will you choose to let God develop you? Regardless, you

are going to go through the problem. 

Jesus says in John 16:33 “I

have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this

world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Jesus is saying, “problems are part of life here on Earth, but take

heart (thank goodness for that part), I have overcome the world.” In

other words, this isn’t the end for us. This isn’t heaven, and we can’t

expect it to be. BUT, heaven is coming, thanks to Jesus.

“These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all of our troubles seem like nothing.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (CEV)

One day we won’t face problems, experience pain or sickness or death, because he has overcome all of that.

In Romans 8:28, the Bible teaches, “We

know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those

who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (NLT).

God’s purpose for you on this earth is to prepare you for eternity.

This life is preparation for the next. We are here to develop our

character to look like the character of Christ, because we take our

character with us into eternity. 

God is using everything in your life—the good, the bad, and the

ugly—to get you ready. When you understand this, life begins to make a

little more sense.