Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.
We've seen how joy is a choice, not a feeling, and how we can make this choice by abiding in Christ, spending time in God's Word, and focusing on His goodness and promises. Another way to choose joy is holding on to this important truth: there is a spiritual payoff to going through the trials and tribulations of life.
James 1:2-4 says: "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."
Likewise, Romans 5:3-4 says: "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Both James and Paul were highlighting the fact that trials are the means to an end, the ultimate goal of God's redemption: being conformed to the image of His son Jesus. It is through the challenge of trials that we develop the fruit of the spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
Keeping this promise of spiritual maturity in sight will change our attitude towards trials. We will no longer see them as things to be avoided at all costs, but as things to be embraced, knowing that God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Notice that this promise comes after an honest depiction of our present suffering, including "groans" (Romans 8:22-23) that the Holy Spirit understands all too well.
Over time, understanding the purpose and outcome of our trials will enable us to take on the attitude of an athlete who looks forward to each training session. Even though he knows it will be painful and exhausting, he is motivated by the knowledge that ultimately, the training will prepare him for the final race - and a medal.
It is this promise that leads Paul to write this encouraging conclusion in Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Joy is holding on to this truth: God is refining you through your trial.
Picture posted by Tim Chan & Sage Anderson, RollingStone on 14 May 2021 at 02:22 pm ET
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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
Picture posted by Charlotte Brnčić on 17 September 2019 at 8:29 pm
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We've seen how joy is a choice, not a feeling, and how we can make this choice by abiding in Christ, spending time in God's Word, and focusing on His goodness and promises. Another way to choose joy is holding on to this important truth: there is a spiritual payoff to going through the trials and tribulations of life.
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James 1:2-4 says: "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."
Likewise, Romans 5:3-4 says: "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
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https://www.daytime.cool/health/12235369.html
Both James and Paul were highlighting the fact that trials are the means to an end, the ultimate goal of God's redemption: being conformed to the image of His son Jesus. It is through the challenge of trials that we develop the fruit of the spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
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Keeping this promise of spiritual maturity in sight will change our attitude towards trials. We will no longer see them as things to be avoided at all costs, but as things to be embraced, knowing that God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Notice that this promise comes after an honest depiction of our present suffering, including "groans" (Romans 8:22-23) that the Holy Spirit understands all too well.
PHOTO: Trials are the means to an end. Keeping this promise of spiritual maturity in sight will change our attitude towards trials. We will no longer see them as things to be avoided at all costs, but as things to be embraced, knowing that God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Notice that this promise comes after an honest depiction of our present suffering, including "groans" (Romans 8:22-23) that the Holy Spirit understands all too well.
Picture posted by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman on 28 January 2015 at 5:46 am
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https://thepreachersword.com/2015/01/28/great-verses-of-the-bible-romans-828/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/02/reflection-thinking-of-heaven-common.html
Over time, understanding the purpose and outcome of our trials will enable us to take on the attitude of an athlete who looks forward to each training session. Even though he knows it will be painful and exhausting, he is motivated by the knowledge that ultimately, the training will prepare him for the final race - and a medal.
Picture posted by Indiana University
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It is this promise that leads Paul to write this encouraging conclusion in Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Joy is holding on to this truth: God is refining you through your trial.
PHOTO: Joy is holding on to this truth: God is refining you through your trial.
It is this promise that God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28) leads Paul to write this encouraging conclusion in Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Picture posted by Can I tell you the truth? on 10 May 2013
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Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
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Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 9 "The fruit of trials", Page 26.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.
Other Books (Links)
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
Reference
[1] From "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", Copyright © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 9 "The fruit of trials", Page 26-27.
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
James 1:2-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2-4&version=NIV
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
Romans 5:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A3-4&version=NIV
Romans 8:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A18&version=NIV
Romans 8:22-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A22-23&version=NIV
Romans 8:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A28&version=NIV
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- https://www.daytime.cool/health/12235369.html
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- https://thepreachersword.com/2015/01/28/great-verses-of-the-bible-romans-828/
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- https://dbukjj6eu5tsf.cloudfront.net/sidearm.sites/iuhoosiers.com/images/2016/11/12/Gulley_01_1111_md.JPG
- https://iuhoosiers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/ria-gulley/8004
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