Facing Tough Times

Introduction:

· Tough times — then and now.

JAMES HAS SOMETHING TO SAY TO US ABOUT THE NATURE OF TRIALS, HOW WE FACE THEM, AND HOW WISDOM ENABLES US TO FACE TRIALS.

I) What is the Nature of Trials that We Face (vv. 2-4)

A. What we are up against: Trials and Testing (vv. 2, 3)

i. Trials are occasions when we learn to trust God through experience

1. Trials confront us: “Do I believe what God says enough to act?”

2. EXAMPLE:

a. Financial hardship (am I seeking God’s provision?)

b. Financial success (am I still seeking God’s security?)

c. I fail out of a class, and I suddenly ask: “Where is my identity?”

ii. Testing is experience in which we learn obedience to God – not others

1. Testing is the idea of living under scrutiny: Whose “eyes” matter?

2. EXAMPLE: Mod Pizza, getting a freebie…or do I go back and pay?

B. What is the Purpose of Trials? (vv. 3-4)

i. Trials produce endurance (vs. 3)

1. We don’t get perseverance to go through the trial, we go through to get

2. ILLUSTRATION: building muscle takes time: grow weak to be strong

3. APPLICATION: a “small” trial might be simple…but you’re exercising

ii. Trials lead to maturity (see vs. 4, 12)

1. God’s goal for you is to make you full and complete, perfected!

2. ILLUSTRATION: Our Ford Taurus vs. the window seat: Big picture!

3. APPLICATION: Do you trust God is using trials to bring you to maturity?

THE QUESITON FOR US, THEN, IS WHAT IS OUR ROLE?

II) What Should We Do When Faced with Trials (vv. 2-8)

A. We Learn to Count Trials as Joy (vs. 2-4, 12)

i. Guidance that is preventative before prescriptive

1. If you are facing trials/adversity: know the care of Jesus

2. EXAMPLE: diet & exercise! to someone on a gurney having a heart attack

ii. Counting Trials as Joy because they are God’s work in our life

1. Count it joy: a head move that shifts perspective, not forcing feelings

2. ILLUSTRATION: A painting above the stove of a French woman

3. APPLICATION: “Whatever is happening is not random, unplanned, out of control…but ALL under the wisdom of a gracious and wise God.”

B. We Learn to Ask God For Wisdom in the Midst of Trials (vv. 5-8)

i. God gives wisdom generously (vs. 5)

1. Wisdom: seeing life from God’s perspective, and God gives generously

2. NOT: “What took you so long, dummy?” BUT “I’m so glad you asked!”

ii. God gives wisdom to those who ask in faith (vv. 6-8)

1. Asking in faith means trusting that God is who he says he Is!

2. Asking in faith means a commitment to DO what God calls us to do!

3. APPLICATION: Some are facing adversity but haven’t for wisdom!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD GIVES YOU WISDOM?

III) How Does Wisdom Help us Face Trials?

A. Wisdom Lets us See Trials as God’s Sanctifying Work

i. Wisdom can reveal what we lack

1. Sometimes God reveals blind-spots to us

2. EXAMPLE:

a. A critical supervisor: “Not always fair, but a kernel of truth.”

b. You fail out of a class and realize, “My grades were my identity.”

ii. Wisdom can reveal what God is doing

1. Wisdom might let us see God’s vantage point

2. EXAMPLE: Corrie Ten Boom thanks God for fleas: allowed Bible study

B. Wisdom Gives us the Confidence that God Redeems Trials

i. Because Jesus’ trial led to salvation I can trust God to use trials

1. The greatest injustice: Jesus’ life;  à greatest good ever accomplished

2. If that is true then our relatively small trials can and will be redeemed

ii. Because Jesus endured punishment I can be confident that trials are different

1. “But isn’t God punishing me?” on the cross, Jesus experienced the punishment in full – now, we stand before a Father, no longer a judge.

2.

Transition:

Conclusion

The promise of ten million dollars