We’ve seen it hundreds of times on “smooky” (Isabella’s word) TV programs and movies. An evil person or entity is stalking their victim(s). The music changes into an ominous score, the victim is in their own home doing normal things such as cooking dinner or going to bed. They open the refrigerator door to get the vegetables, shut the door and bam the bad guy is right there. The person goes upstairs to the bedroom; lays down for some sleep and the next thing they know the closest door creaks open or a hand reaches from under the bed grabbing them. A funny story about Debbie happened when she was in high school. She and one of her best friends, Vanessa, had gone to the movies to see the movie, Jaws. The shark had already been causing havoc. The music changes while one of the main characters is scuba diving. He’s looking in a sunken boat with a hole in it. The hole is abnormal. He wonders “what could have caused this?” Suddenly a head pops out of the hole on the hull. Debbie screams, throwing her popcorn over her shoulder all over the people behind her and Vanessa.
What is the spiritual point to that opening? Life comes at us in many different ways. Sometimes those trials are hard to bear. For many, that trial isn’t one that is coming, it has already arrived. I have talked to a lot of people this week, prayed for a lot of people this week, and weighed many things this week. Each of these have unique situations, but one thing was a constant, they all have a fear of the unknown. We don’t always know what will happen, but as believers, we have some things that help us during the scary times. The trials that have arrived or will, can drain emotionally. They can even affect us physically. But there is also a danger to us spiritually. We can find ourselves questioning God if we aren’t careful.
What is your reaction when things happen to you? Do you stay in control or fly off the handle? Is your reaction to lose it or do you choose to be biblical? I was taught as a young Christian to “act” not “react”. To be honest, that is not always easy. The little epistle of James is a great source for us when it comes to trials that are in our closet or under our bed. Let me share three thoughts from the first chapter of James’s little treasure chest.
1. Trials are a necessary part of the Christian life! 1:2-4. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers (various) temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. It is hard to be happy when traveling deep waters with our noses barely above the surface, but we are commanded to count this time as a “joy.” Why? Because this trial or these trials will give us patience, which will in turn make us mature in our faith. Years ago, there was an old black Baptist preacher who said, “My favorite passage in the Bible is ‘and it came to pass’…. “ These trials will pass but never forget they are necessary according to The Word.
2. Blessings come to those that respond correctly! 1:12. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (trials): for when he is tried (tested), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Let me remind you of one of the great truths you will ever, ever learn. Learn it well. One of the attributes of God is His goodness. He isn’t good one moment and bad the next. He only does what is right!!! That isn’t to say that hard times will not come, but those times are for our good and His glory. When you are tempted to cash it all in, remember the goodness of God. When you are ready to quit on the Lord and His church, remember the goodness of God. Act, do not react. Blessings will come.
3. Remember the Source for Evil! It isn’t the Lord. Often, I have this thought when I’m looking in the mirror getting ready for the day. I see my reflection and think. “The man you are looking at causes most of your problems.” Do you ever have thoughts like that? Look at 1:13-15. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” It is important to remember there are two words for temptation in the Bible. The first word is one that means “to be tested.” The second word means “to solicit to do evil.” God does test us, but God never puts evil before us. If you are tempted to get drunk, it isn’t the Lord. If you are tempted to commit adultery, that isn’t the Lord. That is an inside you job. Many, many times, I have seen and heard people claim God was leading them into a pathway that leads to destruction. God doesn’t do that. He always “leads in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
It is my prayer that all of us remember “they (trials) are already in the house.” There will be more that come when these have passed but never forget we have help as Christians that the world doesn’t. We have the wonderful Word of God, we have the sweet Holy Spirit within us, and we have other saints that love us at the church. If you want help during these hard times, use these resources early and often. Don’t quit. Blessings will come!