Giving Problems a Second Look

Overcoming Study Series Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020

Romans 8:28 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Negative Things Working Positive Results.

“All things” are all inclusive, meaning, even the negative things work out for God’s good purpose in our life.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NASB95

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Trials: things which “try” our faith.

1 Peter 1:6–7

1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB95

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

One purpose of trials is to sift out what is genuine in a person’s faith.—D. Walls & M. Anders

To form a useful object, raw gold must be cast into a mold. For that to occur, the solid ore must be melted, requiring a temperature of 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit. When the gold is melted, the impurities rise to the surface, where they are skimmed off or burned off. A goldsmith knows the gold is ready to cast when the liquid gold becomes mirror-like and he can see his face reflected in the surface.

Walls, D., & Anders, M. (1999). I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Vol. 11, p. 9). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Our faith trials forge us into the person God desires us to be. God can use one who’s faith has been refined as they have become, what Paul would refer to as, “a vessel of honor.”

A Second Look

James 1:2–4

James 1:2–4 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Our default response to trials is not to consider it a joy.

However, if we trust God’s word enough to obey it, then we can take a second or new look at our conflicts.

If you believe that God is working His good through your trial, then you can count it joy.

Think of the victory this perspective can bring to your life.