Trials, Trials, Trials

The scriptures tell me that if I am serious about serving Christ with your whole heart, I will face "trials of many kinds." The book of James talks about these sorts of trials and what they can do for the soul:

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (James 1.2-4)

Let's Set The Record Straight

Not all my trials come from following Christ. They come from my own silly, misguided, self-absorbed decisions. If I want that new lawn tractor or laptop or whatever, but don't have the money, my purchase puts me in a position of slave to debt. That's not from following Christ. That's from following the lust of my own desire.

The examples are numerous:

Staying angry at someone and not extending forgiveness is, as they say, like, "drinking rat poison and waiting for the other person to die". Unforgiveness eats away at its container.

Choosing to stay up late at night and get up for work early in the morning results in eventual fatigue.

Deciding to ignore the kids and deny them discipline at home results in some very interesting challenges in the stores or restaurants.

You and I were uniquely designed to serve God with all your heart, soul, body, and strength. Anything (ANY thing) that we choose to serve outside of that design will bring about trials - NOT the trials James talks about.

What other examples can add to the list which bring about non-scriptural trials?

Comments

[Bill (cycleguy)]

This one is a little more long term I think Scott. Eating wrong and failing to exercise knowing that you should but then having health issues related to both of those in later years. Another one (related): knowing you are on the verge of diabetes & taking medicine to keep you under "the number" but failing to watch your carb and sugar intake. Not sure if that is what you are looking for or not.

[Scott Couchenour]

That's just what I'm looking for - those things we bring upon ourselves that result in trials that we then try and explain them in context of the trials James talks about. Thanks. Those are 2 excellent examples.

[Dusty Rayburn]

Choosing a job for your own glory or desire with disregard for God's will.

[Sarah Salter]

The first thing that comes to my mind is when we try to "prune" each other. You know how John's gospel has that passage from Jesus about the vine and branches. And how God is the vinedresser... Well, when WE try to be the vinedresser and prune each other, THAT can have some SERIOUS relational consequences. I'm in a relationship with someone right now that I dread talking to because each time we talk, he tries to prune me. And it hurts. And he doesn't always try to prune me the way God would wish to prune me. I've been on the other side of that equation, too, when I've tried to be the vinedresser. And it can irreversibly damage a relationship.

Thanks for this post, my friend! Very thought-provoking!

[MichaelDPerkins]

Forgetting important things. (gets me in a lot of trouble)

[Scott Couchenour]

Nice one. I'm personally embarrassed to say now many times I've done that :)

[Scott Couchenour]

Thank you Sarah. You're absolutely right. When we put God's work clothes on (whether vinedresser, forgiver, savior) we are flirting with danger.

[Scott Couchenour]

I'm sorry, who are you? I forget. (JK)

I hate it when I forget important things too.

[jasonS]

I don't get it. I thought every bad thing that happened was because of the "enemy." :)

No, seriously though- you offer some great examples. One I thought of: asking your wife if it's her time of the month because she's angry with you that leads to the pinch of fire. It's taken 12 years, but I have learned. :)

My (slight) joking aside, thanks for the great post, Scott.

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason, you are a hoot! "Pinch Of Fire" - now THERE'S a blog post title!