Trials

             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. (James 1:2-3)

Some people seem to think that spiritual warfare is only what goes on when someone is attacked by demons. I suspect spiritual warfare is more often the result of family, friends, or your flesh not liking the changes you’re making in your life. Last night was a difficult night for a number of reasons and I confess that I didn’t handle things with a shout of “Woo hoo, a trial!” In fact, what it showed me is that even a little bit of interruption of my sleep and my perseverance, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control go out the window. And, of course, the fact that my response wasn’t what it should have been, and my imaginings about reasons for some of what happened just adds to the shame.

In a way, though, it’s to your benefit (and mine) that the word shame came to mind, because I just read something about shame that I wanted to share in a book that a friend shared – but hasn’t been published yet. She says:

            Many times, our shame is so great because we had that “ideal image” of ourselves, and we can clearly see how we violated that image. To move forward, we need to see first that our ideal image was all wrong.” (C.E. White, Taking Every Thought Captive)

The thought I wrote in my journal after this quote is: “So our shame is based on the sham of our ideal image of ourselves, while our guilt is based on reality.” We may feel shame even if we’ve done nothing wrong.

But getting back to the issue of joy in trials. Here is part of how I’m fighting this battle.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. (Proverbs 4:11)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8)

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all^[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John10:28-29)

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

and Romans 8