I was reading James this morning. That's a hard book to nod your head "yes" at. He starts off by talking about trials and how we should rejoice when we suffer many of them. Are you kidding me? Jesus' brother goes on to explain that our trials will either produce maturity or not in us, dependent on how we process and work our through the trial. We can focus on our emotions and feelings, following them, resulting in immaturity, or we can accept our trial, give it to God, and let Him lead us through it.
The consolation for me is in 4:9-10. Seems it's ok for us to grieve, mourn, wail....complain. It's ok to be sad and frustrated...just not ok to follow our own plans. We have to follow His. We have to purify our hearts...check ourself to make sure we're in step with God.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
The New International Version. 2011 (Jas 4:7–10). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
I don't know if it makes the trials easier to wail and mourn, but it sure feels good sometimes!
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