James DAY 3 - Obstacles or Opportunities?

DAY3
OBSTACLES OR OPPORTUNITIES?
James 1:2-4

Let’s circle back to James’s main point: trials of many kinds are opportunities to grow. Let’s say it another way. Faith that works grows through hard times. The pressure cooker of life provides us an opportunity to mature into the person God knows we can be. 

Many wise men and women have stumbled onto this truth. One of my favorite writers, Rabbi Edwin Friedman, taught that nothing motivates us to change toward maturity like pain. Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, wrote in his Meditations, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." Paul the Apostle told believers, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

We see this in nature, too, don’t we? Intense pressure on coal creates diamonds. Our muscles grow, not by avoiding stress, but by facing challenges. Muscles strain against heavier weight. They’re actually torn apart so they can grow stronger. Physically therapy creates temporary strain for long-term strength.

Like most of you, I’ve been through some stuff I’d call “trials.” And I want to say to James, “REALLY?!? The trials I’ve faced can’t be compared to diamonds or muscles! What about chronic sickness, divorce, bullying, infertility, job loss, losing a friendship, assault, abuse? James, are you really saying that character and faith can grow through these?”

A few years ago, I heard of something called post-traumatic growth. We’ve all heard of PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder. After a terrifying event, people struggle with many everyday functions. It happens to many combat veterans. But experts also saw some vets flourish after traumatic events. Post-traumatic growth is still being studied but it shows that it’s possible to grow through trials.

Yes, it’s possible to grow through the worst life throws at us. Faith that works shaves off our rough edges, faith that works strips away our sins, faith that works develops character, faith that works grows trust in God. But we only get there through trials. Faith that works grows through hard times. 

REFLECT
What’s a trial you’ve experienced that helped you to grow and mature?

PRAY
Lord, give me wisdom! Help me to see what opportunities are now possible because of my obstacles. Amen.