Was James “high” when he said “count all your trials as joy?” (James 1:2)
I reckon he was. Not in a bad way. Lets just say from a spiritual perspective, he was right up there.
Because James’ mindset towards trouble is exactly the space we ought to be in when storms strike.
Have you ever seen footage of simulated crash testing for pilots? It involves being dumped unceremoniously in the deep end upside down!
Survival instructions are simple: maintain composure, get your bearings, unbuckle and calmly make your way to the surface.
Sounds simple enough in theory. Yet many fail the test and need rescuing.
That’s because even the most elite folk can “freak out” in troubled circumstances, even under controlled conditions.
No such thing as “controlled conditions” in life though right? So what happens when you’re blindsided by a painful circumstance and there are no rescue divers to save you?
Our instinct is to lead from the flesh. BIG mistake. Spirit-led decisions aren’t emotional, they are kingdom-principled and with your purpose in mind.
James says proper perspective is the start-point to right response. The freak-out-factor is minimized in knowing there is a divine purpose in your darkest days. Pain is not to punish, but to polish. And God’s promise is that all things work for good.
When God says ALL THINGS, He means YOUR THINGS too.
That, you can feel real good about. Just like James.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose ~ Romans 8:28
Post inspired by the Pain in my Purpose Series by Bishop Brian Tamaki. Download available on this LINK
Awesome post Richie. You have more strength in Joy than you can ever have in sadness. I have faced huge challenges in my life to the brink of death. when i was blindsided by painful circumstance and there was no rescue divers to save me I fueled myself up with the higher octane way of thinking and that was when i wasn’t even following the lord!!When bishop spoke on this My spirit man was ignited. We have it in us to achieve great things in times of storms.
Great piece / peace Richie
not long after Paul Holmes chopper went down off Gisborne coast & one guy drowned… TVNZ put its shooters & staff who fly, through the dreaded Helicopter course where they lock you into a cage drop you in the deepest coldest water ever & flip you upside down & you “escape”… after many years swimming in the mighty Waikato river among monster weeds & taniwha logs….I drew on that experience & survived… others just cried & refused to do it… the course was dropped hehe:)
Shot br:)
Shot bro
Thanks Richie