(James 1:4) . . . don’t try to squirm out of your problems (TLB)
Are you a weasel? Do you try to escape any problems that come your way? Do you tend to evade a situation that is confronting you or the people you don’t like? Well then, you’re like many of us that have a hard time facing realities head on. But does this approach to life work? Do the problems go away? Do they lessen? No, just the opposite. They grow even bigger until we deal with them. So, is there any hope for us fugitives of the factual?
The apostle James says to face your problems head on knowing God has a purpose in them:
(James 1:2-4) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The trials that hit our lives are really the testing of our faith. And when our faith is tested it produces patience. That’s the stretching we need so we can keep growing as believers. The end result is spiritual maturity. You’ve grown that much more. No longer do things frustrate you as they once did. You used to dodge your problems but now you almost dare your problems. You see a purpose in them and the results are advantageous to you.
I remember driving through the desert and seeing a rainstorm ahead. Boy, did it look mean. I wanted to panic. I wanted to pull over. I wanted to go around it. I wanted to retreat from it. But I geared up for it and went right through it. The sound of the rain beating on the roof sounded like someone hitting the car with a baseball bat. The car hydroplaned a bit. I could barely see through the windshield even with the wipers working overtime. The lightning flashed brightly. The thunder roared angrily. I pushed on through and soon it was over. The desert sky turned immensely beautiful. All around me the sights and smells became refreshing and invigorating. I even got a free car wash!
I know it’s hard to face the storms of life, but you don’t have to face them alone. (Read Mat 8:23-27) You can weather what lies ahead. You’ll be better for it. And . . . you won’t have to be a weasel anymore!
Louie