The Bible talks about trials, troubles, and temptations. It also says when we experience trials and troubles, we should see it as an opportunity to grow — to mature in our relationship with God, and in how we deal with problems.

Temptations vs Trials:

Now temptations are different from trials or troubles. Temptations come from the inside, while trials come from the outside. The Bible teaches that temptations don’t come from God but from the evil desires that dwell in our hearts and minds. But trials come to us from circumstances, sometimes beyond our control.

Opportunities:

We will all have trials — no one is immune to trials or troubles in life. But how we see them is of vital importance. The Bible teaches we should see them as opportunities to grow and mature as a Christian and as a person.

Catalysts:

Trials will let us know what we are all about, what we really believe. They can tell us what our weak spots are and what our strengths are.

Some think when we face hardships of any kind it’s because God doesn’t care or doesn’t love us. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t believe God causes hardships, but if we honor Him and keep His word, they can cause us to become stronger, better in life.

Next time you find yourself in a trial, stay true to God, and look for the solutions and learn from them. See James 1:2-4, 13-14.

Just a thought,

PSS

Jealousy — one of the most hurtful, deceitful things we can allow in our lives.

Inadequacy:

Jealousy is deceitful, causes us to believe things that aren’t true and to want what someone else has. It promotes feelings that somehow we are less than somebody else, or someone else has it better, possesses more, or is better looking/prettier than we are. Jealousy makes us feel inadequate; it makes us want what someone else has. Envy is when we want someone to lose what they have so we can have it.

Wholeness:

The point is, we should not allow feelings of jealousy in our lives. We combat these feelings by learning who we are in Christ, learning and understanding what God’s word says about us. God created us to be whole, and He has a plan for all of us. Sure, some people have it better than we do, have more than we have, are better looking than we are. But that should never cause us to think less of ourselves.

Purpose:

If we ever began to understand that God created us, we would not allow ourselves to ever feel jealous. In fact, jealousy is the cause of so many crimes. It’s unhealthy feelings. The truth is, God created us to serve Him. That is His purpose for every one of us. If we seek Him and remain thankful and grateful to Him, we will walk in compassion and not be concerned with what others look like or have.

So, let’s continue to be grateful to God for who He is and all He has done.

Just a thought,

PSS

C.S. Lewis wrote, “According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil; Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

Self-focus:

It is no wonder that God detests pride and opposes the proud. It is pride that leads man to believe he can live without God. God wants us to stay close to Him and far from sin. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 NLT). Pride is when we are self-willed, not God-willed. It makes us focus on ourselves instead of on God.

Poison:

Pride makes you small. But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble (James 4:6 NLT). Pride is a poison to the mind, soul, and heart of man. It ruins everything it touches. It actually believes it knows better than God.

Humility:

So, what must we do? We must all humble ourselves, recognizing that God knows best, that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Pride goes before destruction; it goes before damage, something that cannot be repaired. Haughtiness is when someone thinks they are better than someone else — they become arrogant — this comes before the fall, ruin, failure.

So, let’s all make sure we keep a humble (teachable) heart and mind, and be doers of God’s word in every area of our lives.

Just a thought,

PSS

Every obstacle we face is an opportunity for success.

Perceive:

If we see problems or setbacks only as opportunities for failures, then we are looking at them in the wrong light. Everyone has them, but how we view them will determine the outcome. When faced with a problem, see it as an opportunity to grow and develop, to become stronger and better equipped for tomorrow. Even though some issues we face are hurtful and scary at times, they are, nonetheless, opportunities.

Assess:

The next time you face a problematic situation, step back and assess it. Begin to find solutions, or see the bigger picture. Think, I can either let this sideline me, or I can pick myself up and believe that this will work out for my good. That is how you deal with it in a productive and an honorable way.

Overcome:

Do not allow yourself to become hurt, or retaliate; but, instead, learn to rise above your feelings, and do the right thing. Doing this will introduce healing, or maybe reveal an answer. Problems can be opportunities for growth. They can develop our character and enable us to be successful.

How you view difficulties, and deal with them, will determine whether the situation makes you stronger and wiser, or resentful and bitter. It is your call.

Just a thought,

PSS

Issues do not just disappear:

If you are the type of person who gives up, quits when things get too difficult or hard; know this: just because you quit it does not mean that the issues go away or that you will not have any more problems in that area.

Solving issues vs quitting on them:

We need to understand that avoiding something does not mean it goes away. So dealing with learning to walk through issues is the only way to really get rid of problems. Solving them, not quitting on them, makes them go away. Everyone faces challenges; most at times want to throw in the towel. But there are those who never quit or throw in the towel. They look at their circumstance and believe there is a solution or a way to settle or deal with the issue.

Stay committed:

People must stay committed to working through the issue or resolving the problem because, for the most part, issues don’t ever go away. Some things resolve themselves, but not all do. So we must commit ourselves to dealing with the problem — resolving the problem, the hardship — until it is settled. It takes courage and commitment to do it.

Be courageous; be of good cheer — for we know our heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us.

Just a thought,

PSS