LIFE HACKS for…TRIALS

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because s/he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded & unstable in all they do.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.  But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wildflower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.  Thus, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. [James 1:1-12, NIV]

We must understand we cannot live free FROM “PRESSURE” with a goal of being SECURE in this life:  WHY NOT?

1. 1.    We live in a world of “TRY” (to be free of trials).  
2. 2.    We will be TRIED (“face trials of many kinds”). [v.2; Jn 16:33]
3. 3.    So we must mature from TRY to TRUST (God’s work in me). [vv. 3-4; Pr 3:5-6]

We can live free UNDER “PRESSURE” with a goal of being MATURE in this life by following these “life hacks”:

1. 1.    L EARN under pressure. [v. 5]
2. 2.    L AUGH under pressure. [v. 1]
3. 3.    L OOK UP under pressure. [v. 5]

PARABLE OF FOUR SOILS

Matthew 13:1-23

UNDER PRESSURE…

Try to live FREE FROM PRESSURE…

1. 1. “There is no God, otherwise why would bad things happen to good people.  I must make the best of what I see in the here/ now, so I’m looking out for NUMBER ONE and I’ll get ahead any way I can!”
2. 2. “God exists to take care of me, and bad things happen because of sin, so I’ll be good and God will take care of me by giving me good things called blessings!  When He doesn’t, I give up on Him.

3. 3. “I love God and I serve Him only (except when bad things happen to me).  I then resort to my own (or the world’s) wisdom and don’t understand why He won’t bail me out…after all, I’m really TRYING to serve Him.  I won’t give up, but I’m STUCK!”

Try to live FREE UNDER PRESSURE…

4. 4.    “I love God and serve Him only.  When trials come, I trust God and He grows me up!  Isn’t He amazing?!”