Monthly Archives: January 2017

The connection between trial, joy, faith and patience

Training the mind

Count it all Joy (James 1)

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2).

There is an odd connection between joy and trials, even to the point that God is asking us to count it all joy when the trials come. But how can this connection be possible? Trials don’t usually cause the emotion of joy but the opposite. So how can they bring joy?

“knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”(James 1: 3).

We can have joy because we know that this trial will test our faith and that the result of this testing will be patience. If our faith being tested is so important, then we need to know what faith is, to understand what is being tested.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Continue reading The connection between trial, joy, faith and patience →

The Diamond

Training the mind

The Diamond

A daughter at birth, is like a diamond in the rough. When you are given this precious gem, you form it and mold it with great care, spending much time and energy to make sure the chips fall in just the right places. Slowly, over time, something emerges that is both beautiful and shining brightly in your hand. As you enjoy the brilliance of your diamond you feel that all the sweat and tears, time and care were worth it. You guard that diamond carefully since it is very precious to you. But as the diamond shines in your hand, others notice it too. And one day a young man is captivated by its beauty and feels he can’t live without it. Then he does a bold thing. He has the audacity to ask you for your diamond even though he did no work to form it to its present glory. But what is even stranger than this, is that you give him your diamond if you deem him a prince among men.
He then takes this precious gift, carries it away and puts it in his crown to shine brightly for all to see. The light reflected from within its depths is cherished and helps him to truly be the prince he was meant to be.

the Dance

family

The Dance (written as a toast at Jeremiah and Megan’s wedding)

Finding a spouse is like a dance. At first everyone is on the dance floor and it is a mixer. You are briefly with one partner after the next, all having fun, enjoying the dance, the crowd, the evening. You aren’t really flowing with any one partner because it is a mixer and the purpose is to be with everyone and no one. That is just what you do. The dances can be awkward, bumpy, even with trips and spills, but you haven’t been with one dancer long enough to learn, and you don’t care, because you are out there enjoying dancing, but with an eye for that one true partner. Continue reading the Dance →

Self Pity or Rejoicing?

Training the mind

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (2 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

“Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:13-15).

“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me” Psalm 50:23

Offering God praise and thanksgiving pleases Him. And notice that circumstances don’t change the command. Even in trouble, we are to offer thanksgiving as we call upon God to help us. Then He delivers us as He sees fit. All of this glorifies Him and He is pleased with it. But it helps us as well. When we choose to rejoice, praise Him and offer thanksgiving, it helps change our way of thinking and puts us within a framework to handle the trial with grace so that we can ride over it a lot easier. There is no situation so dire that we can’t thank God through it, or even for it. Praise and thanksgiving are what keeps the ship afloat in troubled waters and steers it through to calmer seas. Without these, the boat could sink in the waves of self pity, doubt and depression. Continue reading Self Pity or Rejoicing? →