New Living Translation
My life in a day to day confrontation is nothing compared to what the early Christians needed to endure. Just try to imagine the gut wrenching vision of not only you facing a den of hungry lions or sawed in half but the ones that you love the most are threatened with that reality too.
James ( in his message to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations) was stating a truth that these families had an opportunity to look to the lover of their soul. The One Who is TRULY HOLY is with them and will give them the ability to go beyond endurance. JOY
Today, when someone cuts us off in traffic, when I am disagreed with, if I feel shamed, where are the emotions? Do I consider it Joy? Do I take all of the horror that is thrown at me to destroy the situation, the other person or myself?
The One who was able to hold the hands of the family members who walked into the lion's den is the same one who is in my heart as I come into the contacts of my daily life. The fierce roars can be less subtle but no less destructive.
Where do the pictures come in? The sharpness of the cold. There is no denying that trouble comes our way very sharply. Cancer, abuse, (verbal or physical), even death. Then there are the indirect struggles, -anger, lust, heartache, torment, memories of shame from the past that linger to almost strangulation.
In these pictures, God brought beauty through the sunrise of a frigid cold morning. God is the one in charge.
To totally give my heart over to God means He takes the frigid or sorrow,anxiety and will make it into a beautiful sunrise. Why? - This is a place for trust. It is an opportunity for GREAT JOY. It Gives God Glory.
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