Tiago 1

Tiago 1:2

MacLaren points out that excessive grief can be selfish: There are many of us who make some disappointment, some loss, some grief, the excuse for shirking plain duty. There is nothing more selfish than sorrow, and there is nothing more absorbing unless we guard against its tendency to monopolize. Work! Work for others, work for God is our best comforter next to the promise of God’s Holy Spirit. There is nothing that so lightens the weight of a lifelong sorrow as to make it the stimulus to a lifelong devotion; and if our patience has its perfect work, it will not make us sit with folded hands, weeping for the days that are no more, but it will drive us into heroic and energetic service, in the midst of which there will come some shadow of consolation or, at least, some blessed oblivion of sorrow.” (From his sermon on this text: “Patience and Her Work”) And so I ask this practical question. How can we go on when sorrow has paid us a visit? What shall we do when tragedy strikes and we feel like giving up? Here are five suggestions: A. Remind yourself of the promises of God. That simply means, dwell much in the Word of God. Talk to yourself and forcibly call to mind the promises of God’s presence, his comfort, his divine care, and his unerring purpose to mold you into the likeness of his Son. In the darkest hours, the promises will not come easily. You must do whatever it takes to feed your own soul with the Bread of Life. B. Give thanks for what you can give thanks for. There are times when thanksgiving seems almost impossible and sometimes even impious. Sin in all its ugliness sometimes comes as an unwanted guest. Should we give thanks for sin? No, never. But even if you cannot give thanks for 99% of what is happening, focus on the 1% you clearly see and give thanks to God for that. C. Refuse to give in to bitterness and despair. Here I speak of the conscious choices of the heart. Too many times we speak as if we were involuntarily overwhelmed and had no choice but to be bitter, angry, and hostile. Or we had no choice but to give up our faith in God. Better we should say, “I could give in to anger but by God’s grace I will choose a higher road. I could turn away from my Lord but I will not do it.” D. Choose to believe in God. That means exactly what it says. Believe in God! Believe in his goodness. Believe in his love. Believe in his kindness. Faith is a choice made by the heart. If you want to believe, you will believe, and the angels of heaven will come to your aid. E. Make up your mind to go on with life. This is what David did. This is what we must do. Grief is good and proper and is healing and even ennobling, but after grief has done its work of healing and helping, then we must move on. The past is gone and we can’t go back. Don’t try. You can’t live in yesterday. And you can’t even live in today. The voice of God calls us onward toward tomorrow. Several years ago I formulated a principle I call the First Law of Spiritual Progress. It goes like this: I can’t go back. I can’t stay here. I must go forward. Even if we want to go back, we can’t. And we can’t stay where we are. God’s call is always onward, forward, moving out by faith into the unknown future. This is not easy but it must be done. And when we do it, we will discover a well of joy springing up to refresh our souls as we march onward with the Lord. Here are some booklets that you may find helpful when you encounter various trials... Navigating The Storms Of Life Why? Seeing God in our Pain When God Says No Out of the Ashes Why? Seeing God in our Pain Why Would A Good God Allow Suffering? Finding goodness in trouble (or here) Better Than Gold- The Life-Changing Wisdom Of The Bible The Strength of Weakness Overcoming Worry It’s Not Fair: Trusting God When Life Doesn't Make Sense Cultivating A Heart Of Contentment When You Feel Like Running Away Now What? A Healing Journey Through Job Loss Why Is Life So Unfair? When The Going Gets Tough What Can I Do With My Worry? - Turning anxiety into trust What Does The Bible Say About Patience? How Does God Keep His Promises? Trusting God on His terms How Much Does God Control? Loving a God who is all-powerful and good COUNT IT JOY by Susan Peterson Count it joy, and never be discouraged, When by trials your life is sorely pressed. For you know that when your faith is tested, Your endurance then develops best. Perseverance must complete its working; You will need to let it have its way. When it’s done, you’ll be complete and perfect, Having all you need to meet each day. So if any one of you lacks wisdom, Ask of God, who always hears and cares. He gives freely without asking questions; His abundance will become your share. But when asking, you must never falter, Like a wave that’s blown and tossed about. If you do, you’ll never gain God’s blessing; Double-minded, you’ll succumb to doubt. Blest the man who perseveres in trial; For you know the testing soon will pass. When it’s o’er and you have stood unmoving, You’ll receive the crown of life at last. But when tempted, never be accusing; It’s not God who leads you from the path. Your own lusts seduce you and entice you, Giving birth to sin, and sin to death. Do not let yourself yield to deception; God’s the source of every perfect gift. He’s the Maker of the stars in heaven, Changing not as shadows move and shift. For He chose a spirit birth to give you, Through the Word of truth that you believed. Thus are you the firstfruits of His labors; By His grace, salvation is achieved. I stood the children straight and tall by last year's marks upon the wall . Another year, how soon they go, see how fast the children grow And then I thought of how God's Word says grow in grace and in the Lord. And as I knelt with God alone He asked me gently, "Have you grown? Can you look back and understand how sun and rain came from My hand, the trials which My love decreed? Did they not prove Me real indeed? Or would you change a single hour and miss the knowledge of My power? Do I seem nearer when you pray than just a year ago today? And does your zeal for lost men die or greater grow as years go by?" What deep and sear.ching questions, these, they kept me long upon my knees. Before His gaze my soul must own, how very little it had grown . Dear Lord , this year may all men see that I grow dail more like Thee . Annie Johnson Flint - Disappointment- His appointment ''Disappointment- His appointment," Change one letter; then I see That the thwarting of my purpose Is God's better choice for me. His appointment must be blessing, Though it may come in disguise, For the end from the beginning Open to His wisdom lies. ''Disappointment- His appointment," Whose? The Lord's, Who loves me best Understands and knows me fully, Who my faith and love would test; For; like loving earthly parent, He rejoices when He knows That His child accepts, unquestioned, All that from His wisdom flows. ''Disappointment-His appointment," "No good thing will He withhold," From denials oft we gather Treasures of His love untold. Well He knows each broke purpose Leads to fuller, deeper trust, And the end of all his dealings Proves our God is wise and just Amy Carmichael - The best training is to learn to accept everything as it comes, as from Him whom our soul loves. The tests are always unexpected things, not great things that can be written up, but the common little rubs of life, silly little nothings, things you are ashamed of minding (at all). Yet they can knock a strong man over and lay him very low. (Amy Carmichael, Borrow Candles in the Dark). (Below is her convicting poem)… Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land, I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star, Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet, I was wounded by the archers, spent, Leaned me against the tree to die; and rent By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned: Hast thou no wound? No wound? No scar? Yes, as the Master shall the servant be, And pierced are the feet that follow Me; But thine are whole: can he have followed far Who has no wound nor scar? PS: If you want to read an incredibly convicting biography I dare you to read Elisabeth Elliot's work book entitled A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael Through trials we learn to overcome, Through Christ our victories are won; Come lay your burdens at His feet And find this inner peace so sweet. —Halsey NEVER GIVE UP by Fanny Crosby Never be sad or desponding, If thou hast faith to believe. Grace, for the duties before thee, Ask of thy God and receive. Refrain Never give up, never give up, Never give up to thy sorrows, Jesus will bid them depart. Trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord, Sing when your trials are greatest, Trust in the Lord and take heart. What if thy burdens oppress thee; What though thy life may be drear; Look on the side that is brightest, Pray, and thy path will be clear. Refrain Never be sad or desponding, There is a morrow for thee; Soon thou shalt dwell in its brightness, There with the Lord thou shalt be. Refrain Never be sad or desponding, Lean on the arm of thy Lord; Dwell in the depths of His mercy, Thou shalt receive thy reward. Refrain Dear tried and tested, suffering saint, beloved of God (1Jn 3:1+, 1Th 1:4+) consider praying this song to your loving Father... Refiner's Fire Purify my heart Let me be as gold And precious silver Purify my heart Let me be as gold Pure gold Refiner's fire My heart's one desire Is to be holy Set apart for you Lord I choose to be holy Set apart for you my master Ready to do your will Purify my heart Cleanse me from within And make me holy Purify my heart Cleanse me from my sin Deep within Refiner's fire My heart's one desire Is to be holy Set apart for you Lord I choose to be holy Set apart for you my master Ready to do your will Refiner's fire My heart's one desire Is to be holy Set apart for you Lord I choose to be holy Set apart for you my master Ready to do your will And I am ready to do your will Make me ready to do your will SUMMARY TRIALS & AFFLICTIONS (1). Prove our faith genuine - so when a believer comes through a trial still trusting the Lord, he is assured that his faith is genuine (2). Are only for a little while (cf 1Pe 5:10+, Ro 8:18+, 2Co 4:18 Heb 12:11 - + -"for the moment") (3). Are necessary to our growth in Christ & so trials in a believer's life are purposeful (cf Ro 8:28+; Ro 8:29+) (4). Will cause grief & sorrow so we must not think they are not of any benefit just because we grieve (cf Heb 12:11 + "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful") (5). Are multicolored, of various "sizes, shapes and colors" (Ja 1:2) but in (1Pe 4:10+ "manifold" = poikilos) Peter says God provides multicolored grace for multicolored trials! There is sufficient grace (2Cor 12:9) to match every trial and there is no trial without sufficient grace. (6). Ultimately will bring praise, glory and honor to God. There is great comfort for suffering saints in knowing that their sufferings are neither purposeless nor fruitless. On the other hand, the sufferings of the ungodly are only a foretaste of the pangs they will endure forever. (7). Will not be fully understood as to their eternal significance until the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Cor 2:14) QUOTATIONS OF BLESSINGS OF TRIALS Times of affliction are usually gaining times to God's people.-Joseph Alleine Adversity introduces a man to himself. -Anon. Affliction is God's shepherd dog to drive us back to the fold.-Anon. Affliction is the school of faith.-Anon. Affliction, like the iron-smith, shapes as it smites.-Anon. Afflictions are often God's best blessings sent in disguise.-Anon. Crosses are ladders that lead to heaven.-Anon. Fire is the test of gold, adversity of strong men.-Anon. Our great Teacher writes many a bright lesson on the blackboard of affliction.-Anon. Some hearts, like evening primroses, open more beautifully in the shadows of life.-Anon. The Christian justifies tribulation. Ten thousand times ten thousand saints… are ready to witness that their most manifest and rapid spiritual growth is traceable to their periods of trial.-Anon. The darker the night, the brighter the stars; the hotter the fire, the purer the gold.-Anon. The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.-Anon. The hammer shatters glass, but forges steel.-Anon. The more a tree of righteousness is shaken by the wind, the more it is rooted in Christ.-Anon. The water that dashes against the wheel keeps the mill going; so trial keeps grace in use and motion.-Anon. Trial is the school of trust.-Anon. Where there are no trials in life, there are no triumphs.-Anon. The purpose of the tests of life are to make, not break us.-Maltbie Babcock Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the new.-Francis Bacon Night brings out stars as sorrow shows us truths.-Gamaliel Bailey Suffering so unbolts the door of the heart that the Word hath easier entrance.-Richard Baxter Weakness and pain helped me to study how to die; that set me on studying how to live.-Richard Baxter The brook would lose its song if you removed the rocks.-Fred Beck Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.-Henry Ward Beecher For the Christian, trials and temptations are not only means for proving his faith but for improving his life.-John Blanchard I have learned more from life's trials than from its triumphs.-John Blanchard The Christian's midnight is brighter than the sinner's noon.-John Blanchard The trials of life are meant to make us better, not bitter.-John Blanchard Affliction is the shaking of the torch that it may blaze the brighter.-Horatius Bonar We have got more from Paul's prison-house than from his visit to the third heavens.-Andrew Bonar It is the usual way of providence with me that blessings come through several iron gates.-Thomas Boston Afflictions are blessings.-Thomas Brooks Afflictions are but as a dark entry into our Father's house.-Thomas Brooks Afflictions are the mother of virtue.-Thomas Brooks Affliction is an excellent comment upon the Scriptures. -Thomas Brooks Afflictions ripen the saint's graces.-Thomas Brooks Afflictions, they are but our Father's goldsmiths who are working to add pearls to our crowns.-Thomas Brooks God's house of correction is his school of instruction.-Thomas Brooks Stars shine brightest in the darkest night. Torches are the better for beating. Grapes come not to the proof till they come to the press. Spices smell sweetest when pounded. Young trees root the faster for shaking. Vines are the better for bleeding. Gold looks the brighter for scouring; and juniper smells sweeter in the fire.-Thomas Brooks The grand design of God in all the afflictions that befall his people is to bring them nearer and closer to himself.-Thomas Brooks The vinegar of adversity quickens our graces.-Thomas Brooks As threshing separates the wheat from the chaff, so does affliction purify virtue.-Richard E. Burton The Lord uses his flail of tribulation to separate the chaff from the wheat.-John Bunyan Thou art beaten that thou mayest be better.-John Bunyan Afflictions ought ever to be estimated by their end.John Calvin In the darkness of our miseries the grace of God shines more brightly.-John Calvin Our afflictions prepare us for receiving the grace of God.-John Calvin Our faith is really and truly tested only when we are brought into very severe conflicts, and when even hell itself seems opened to swallow us up.-John Calvin The more we are afflicted by adversities, the more surely our fellowship with Christ is confirmed!-John Calvin Whatever poison Satan produces, God turns it into medicine for his elect.-John Calvin The staying power of our faith is neither demonstrated nor developed until it is tested by suffering.-D. A. Carson There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering.-D. A. Carson The saint knows not why he suffers as he does, yet he comprehends with a knowledge that passes knowledge that all is well.-Oswald Chambers The brightest crowns that are worn in heaven have been tried, and smelted, and polished, and glorified through the furnace of tribulation.-E. H. Chapin We often learn more under the rod that strikes us, than under the staff that comforts us.-Stephen Charnock Affliction makes saints eminent.-Chrysostom In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends.-Churton Collins It is not until we have passed through the furnace that we are made to know how much dross there is in our composition.-C. C. Colton Calamity is the perfect glass wherein we truly see and know ourselves.-William Davenant There is no education like adversity.-Benjamin Disraeli Fiery trials make golden Christians.-William Dyer Eminent virtue always shows brightest in the fire. Pure gold shows its purity chiefly in the furnace.-Jonathan Edwards Great men are made greater by their misfortunes.-Minucius Felix Afflictions… are as necessary for our waftage to heaven as water is to carry the ship to her port.-William Gurnall God's wounds cure; sin's kisses kill.-William Gurnall God sometimes snuffs out our brightest candle that we may look up to his eternal stars.-Vance Havner It takes the grindstone to sharpen the axe.-Vance Havner It is better to drink of deep griefs than to taste shallow pleasures.-William Hazlitt The Lord doesn't take us into deep water to drown us but to develop us.-Iry Hedstrom Afflictions are continued no longer than till they have done their work.-Matthew Henry Afflictions are sent for this end, to bring us to the throne of grace, to teach us to pray and to make the word of God's grace precious to us.-Matthew Henry Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.-Matthew Henry If we cry to God for the removal of the oppression and affliction we are under, and it is not removed, the reason is not because the Lord's hand is shortened or his ear heavy, but because the affliction has not done its work.-Matthew Henry It has been the advantage of God's people to be afflicted.-Matthew Henry Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise.-Matthew Henry Of the many that are afflicted and oppressed, few get the good they might get by their affliction. It should drive them to God, but how seldom is this the case!-Matthew Henry Outward losses drive good people to their prayers, but bad people to their curses.-Matthew Henry Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions.-Matthew Henry Sometimes God teaches us effectually to know the worth of mercies by the want of them and whets our appetite for the means of grace by cutting us short in those means.-Matthew Henry The injuries men do us should drive us to God, for to him we may commit our cause.-Matthew Henry Let prosperity be as oil to the wheels of obedience and affliction as wind to the sails of prayer.-Philip Henry Affliction is the medicine of the mind.-John P. K. Henshaw The great blows of God are designed to make a man stand up.-John Hercus Afflictions are the cause of eternal glory. Not the meritorious cause, but still the procuring cause.-Charles Hodge Afflictions are unavoidable; they occupy a large proportion of life, and of godliness.-William Jay The Christian is more formed from his trials than from his enjoyments.-William Jay As the wicked are hurt by the best things, so the godly are bettered by the worst.-William Jenkyn Trouble is only opportunity in work clothes.-Henry J. Kaiser Only in the hot furnace of affliction do we as Christians let go of the dross to which, in our foolishness, we ardently cling.-David Kingdon This school of trial best discloses the hidden vileness of the heart and the vast riches of a Saviour's grace.-Henry Law Christian people are generally at their best when they are in the furnace of affliction and being persecuted and tried.-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Trials and tribulations are very good for us in that they help us to know ourselves better than we knew ourselves before.-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Affliction is the Christian's theologian.-Martin Luther I never knew the meaning of God's Word until I came into affliction.-Martin Luther No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures.-Martin Luther We should never see the stars if God did not sometimes take away the day.-Kenneth Macrae God's children never gain so much honour as in their troubles.-Thomas Manton Trial is not only to approve, but to improve.-Thomas Manton Affliction is the whetstone of prayer and obedience.-Edward Marbury Trouble is the structural steel that goes into character-building.-Douglas Meador A dark hour makes Jesus bright.-Robert Murray M'Cheyne Affliction is the school in which great virtues are acquired, in which great characters are formed.-Hannah More No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.-William Penn One breath of paradise will extinguish all the adverse winds of earth.-A. W. Pink Afflictions often possess remarkable power to remind us of our sins.-William S. Plumer It is a blessed thing when our trials cure our earnest love for things that perish.-William S. Plumer By afflictions God is spoiling us of what otherwise might have spoiled us—when he makes the world too hot for us to hold, we let it go.-John Powell The hiding places of men are discovered by affliction.-S. I. Prime I have never met with a single instance of adversity which I have not in the end seen was for my good—I have never heard of a Christian on his deathbed complaining of his affliction.-Alexander M. Proudfit Afflictions clarify the soul.-Francis Quarles Afflictions are a fan in God's hand to separate between good and evil men.-Maurice Roberts No enemy of Christ's cause… has it in his competence to inflict so much as one naked blow on the Christian or on the church. Every blow is parried for our good. Every curse aimed at us is sweetened into a blessing. Every poisonous dart is deflected. Every wound is healed. Every accusation is silenced.-Maurice Roberts Grace grows best in the winter.-Samuel Rutherford Affliction is a searching wind which strips the leaves off the trees and brings to light the bird's nests.-J. C. Ryle In the resurrection morning… we shall thank God for every storm.-J. C. Ryle Let us settle it firmly in our minds that there is a meaning, a needs-be and a message from God in every sorrow that falls upon us.-J. C. Ryle Prosperity is a great mercy, but adversity is a greater one, if it brings us to Christ.-J. C. Ryle There are no lessons so useful as those learned in the school of affliction.-J. C. Ryle The tools that the great Architect intends to use much are often kept long in the fire, to temper them and fit them for work.-J. C. Ryle Trials are intended to make us think, to wean us from the world, to send us to the Bible, to drive us to our knees.-J. C. Ryle Trials are the resistances God gives us to strengthen our spiritual muscles.-George Seevers Misfortune is an occasion to demonstrate character.-Seneca No one appears to me more pitiable than the man who has never known misfortune.-Seneca We become wiser by adversity.-Seneca Afflictions should be the spiritual wings of the soul.-Richard Sibbes After conversion we need bruising, to see that we live by mercy.-Richard Sibbes Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride.-Richard Sibbes When the afflictions of Christians are doubled, then they are commonly most humbled.-Richard Sibbes As Jacob was blessed and halted both at one time, so a man may be blessed and afflicted both together.-Henry Smith A true Christian's losses are gains in another shape.-C. H. Spurgeon I am afraid that all the grace that I have got out of my comfortable and easy times and happy hours might almost lie on a penny. But the good that I have received from my sorrows, and pains, and griefs, is altogether incalculable. What do I not owe to the crucible and the furnace, the bellows that have blown up the coals, and the hand which has thrust me into the heat?-C. H. Spurgeon I am sure I have derived more real benefit and permanent strength and growth in grace, and every precious thing, from the furnace of affliction, than I have ever derived from prosperity.-C. H. Spurgeon I bear my witness that the worst days I have ever had have turned out to be my best days.-C. H. Spurgeon I can bear my personal testimony that the best piece of furniture that I ever had in the house was a cross. I do not mean a material cross; I mean the cross of affliction and trouble.-C. H. Spurgeon I owe more than I can tell to the graver's tool, and I feel the lines of its cutting even now.-C. H. Spurgeon In shunning a trial we are seeking to avoid a blessing.-C. H. Spurgeon None of us can come to the highest maturity without enduring the summer heat of trials.-C. H. Spurgeon On some few occasions I have had troubles which I could not tell to any but my God, and I thank God I have, for I learned more of my Lord then that at any other time.-C. H. Spurgeon Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the dark chariots of bright grace.-C. H. Spurgeon Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the top of a mountain. So are many things learned in adversity which the prosperous man dreams not of.-C. H. Spurgeon The anvil, the fire and the hammer are the making of us.-C. H. Spurgeon The Christian gains by his losses. He acquires health by his sickness. He wins friends through his bereavements, and he becomes a conqueror through his defeats.-C. H. Spurgeon The tears of affliction are often needed to keep the eye of faith bright.-C. H. Spurgeon There are some of your graces which would never be discovered if it were not for your trials.-C. H. Spurgeon There is nothing that makes a man have a big heart like a great trial.-C. H. Spurgeon We find no sword-blades so true in metal as those which have been forged in the furnace of soul-trouble.-C. H. Spurgeon Jesus was transfigured on the hilltop, but he transforms us in the valley.-J. Charles Stern It takes a world with trouble in it to train men for their high calling as sons of God and to carve upon the soul the lineaments of the face of Christ. -J. S. Steward A sanctified person, like a silver bell, the harder he is smitten, the better he sounds.-George Swinnock Cold blasts make afire to flame the higher and burn the better.-George Swinnock God's rod, like Jonathan's, is dipped in honey.-George Swinnock We are safer in the storm God sends us than in a calm when we are befriended by the world.-Jeremy Taylor For a Christian, even the valleys are on higher ground.-D. Reginald Thomas Despise not the desert. There is where God polishes his brightest gems.-R. A. Torrey As the hotter the day the greater the dew at night; so the hotter the time of trouble the greater the dews of refreshing from God.-John Trapp Better be preserved in brine than rot in honey.-John Trapp Better be pruned to grow than cut up to burn.-John Trapp Troubles are free schoolmasters.-John Trapp Affliction is God's flail to thresh off our husks.-Thomas Watson Christians are commonly best in affliction.-Thomas Watson Is it any injustice in God to put his gold into the furnace to purify it?-Thomas Watson Jonah was sent into the whale's belly to make his sermon for Nineveh.-Thomas Watson The eyes that sin shuts affliction opens.-Thomas Watson The whale that swallowed Jonah was the means of bringing him safe to land.-Thomas Watson There is more evil in a drop of sin than in a sea of affliction.-Thomas Watson When God lays men on their backs, then they look up to heaven.-Thomas Watson Whilst I continue on this side of eternity, I never expect to be free from trials, only to change them. For it is necessary to heal the pride of my heart that such should come.-George Whitefield. We know not what we lose when we pray to be delivered out of afflictions, because God always increases his consolation and grace as afflictions abound.-Thomas Wilson I am mended by my sickness, enriched by my poverty, and strengthened by my weakness.-Abraham Wright What fools we are, then, to frown upon our afflictions! These, how crabbed so ever, are our best friends. They are not intended for our pleasure, they are for our profit.-Abraham Wright Among my list of blessings infinite stands this the foremost that my heart has bled.-Edward Young From the Highly recommended resource - The Complete Gathered Gold-John Blanchard (Digital version)