Week 6 - Bible Study

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...

Hebrews 12:2 shows us the same thing, of having joy in the midst of trials and temptations, from Jesus's perspective. Have joy! When we are in trouble, have joy! But, how many of us can do that? Having joy does not necessary mean that we must smile and laugh. Jesus did not smile and laugh on the cross! Having joy is to have the perspective of God, His assurances, His salvation in the midst of our troubles. Our joy comes from knowing that Jesus has died on the cross for us, and with that, we are more than conquerors over our trials and temptations!

I love this definition of trials and temptations from Su An (is this how you spell your name?), very well defined.

"A trial is something that you are put into, you don't have a choice but to go through it. A temptation is something that you can choose not to do, and it leads you to sin."

Some of us are in the midst of a trial now, some of us just came out of it. Some of us are wondering, :"What trial?". Whatever your situation, just remember that trials are meant to build us up, to teach us something. When God takes time to create a trial for us, it means that he has prepared something to be given to us. Something that without the training, we cannot handle.

Think about Jonah. He struggled by running away, he struggled and was swallowed up by a whale. However, after he obeyed, a city turned back to God. Think about Paul. He probably went through the most trials among us mere humans. However, think about the things that God has given to him, the ways that God has used him. Paul is probably the greatest evangelist of all time. Now think about Jesus. Just his suffering on and before the cross would be enough. The emotional, physical and spiritual sufferings. The end result? The salvation of YOU and ME.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Be strong, persevere, and focus.