“Hey God! I’m getting a rotten deal here!”

Have you ever been tempted to say that? I’m pretty sure we all have at one time or another – I know I have – and it’s not a pretty picture. No one wants to feel that way – especially if we are believers who have placed our trust in Jesus and we know we are not “supposed” to behave like that. We’re children of the King – right?

Anyway . . . the answer to our questions are really simple. Probably so simple you’ll be upset with me for being so cold . . .

It’s not all about you!

I believe that we would be of much greater benefit toward others if we realized this. We can see things from their perspective and love them with God’s love much more when we take a step back from our own little world.   Here’s what James says:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  James 1:2-4

You’ll notice that he says troubles WILL come our way! Because he says “when” troubles come not “if” troubles come.

Then James says that when trouble comes, consider it an opportunity!   There are so many people out there who don’t have the hope we have. Hurting people who are desperate for something . . . ANYTHING . . . they can hold on to.

YOU can be that something!

You can reflect Jesus’ hope and love! You can make a difference in their desperation! But you can’t do that if you’re always stuck in our own pit.

We have so much to be thankful for:

• someday we will be with Jesus forever in heaven!
• we’ve been forgiven!
• we’ve been set free!
• we have fellowship with God and each other!
• we are strengthened when we worship!

Yes, I know . . . sometimes things just plain suck. This earth can be really brutal sometimes. I really don’t know why some people seem to suffer more than others. I wish I did . . . but I do know this:

Jesus loves you and He will walk

with you through the storms of life.

So when people see how full of joy you are – even though you yourself are in a horrible situation – they will look in the direction you are looking – they will look to Jesus!

Don’t forget . . . trials are an opportunity for great joy!

Dear brothers and sisters,

when troubles come your way,

consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Please – please –please

• keep loving Jesus
• keep looking to Jesus
• keep representing Jesus