James 1:2-4
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.

 

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

 

  • JOY is celebrating what God is doing.

 

Romans 8:28
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.

 

WHAT ARE TRIALS?

 

  • Trial – something that tests a person’s endurance or forbearance

 

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

 

TRIALS ARE NOT all super-spiritual.

TRIALS ARE NOT obstacles to keep us from God’s best.

TRIALS ARE NOT random.

TRIALS ARE NOT God being mad at you.

 

WHY DO WE GO THROUGH TRIALS?

 

  • Spiritual maturity requires three things: TIME, TESTING, and TRIALS

 

  • The manifestation of godly character may be seen in a single act, but the development of said character is the result of many testings and trials.

 

  • Trials prune us to cause further growth or they purify us and make us more like Jesus.

 

Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast?Why so disturbed within me?Put your hopein God,for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

 

  • WE must FIRST surrender, then ask for patience and endurance.

 

John 16:22
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

 

HOW DO WE CONSIDER IT ALL JOY?

 

  • Trials are inevitable. It’s WHEN, not IF.
  • Patience – (hupomone) – does not describe a passive waiting but an active endurance
  • Patience is the queen of virtues.
  • Patience describes the frame of mind which endures.
  • Trials received with faith produces patience. Trials received with unbelief and grumbling produces bitterness and discouragement.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar

 

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 

  • As believers, we want to let trials produce the fruit of the spirit within us which will improve EVERY AREA of our lives.

 

 

 

Questions:

  1. What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
  2. What will you do because of it?
  3. How can we pray for you?

 

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