THE GOAL OF HARDSHIP--PART 3

"WHAT'S GOD DOING WITH ME!?"

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that

the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature andcomplete,

not lacking anything.

James. 2. 2-4

What's happening is

1. God is working in you to discover His will and way for your life. Trials and hardships expose our weaknesses and inadequacies, our selfishness, anger, fear, rebellion, ignorance, pride, greed, lust, and on and on. Galatians 5.17-21; Colossians 3. 5-8; and other places.

These behaviors and attiudes must be exposed at the heart level, as Mark 7.21-23 points out. This is the point of the reference to Murder and Anger in Matthew 5. Stress and pressure expose the anger issues in our hearts that must be recognized, confessed, and corrected for us to grow in grace and to become more Christlike.

What's happening is

2. God is providing grace to help us in our times of need--Hebvrews 4.16;

2 Corinthians 12.9-10.

This grace comes to us because we pray more honestly and earnestly in our need.

This grace comes to us when we read Scripture seeking for promises that give us hope that helps strengthen our faith.

What's happening is

3. Our need for Grace brings us more realization of God's compassion, wisdom, and power. Ephesians 1.18-19; 1 Corinthians 1.24; James 1.8.

Our need for Grace brings us more awareness of the overwhelming resources God has for us. 1 Corinthians 1.4-9; Ephesians 1.3, 3.20-21; Phil 4.19;

2 Peter 1.2-11.

What's happening is

4. God is using our hardships as the circumstances in which He carries out His purposes to make us holy and righteous for His eternal kingdom. Philippians 2.12-13; Ephesians 2.8-10; Ephesians 1.4; 4.22-24; Romans 6.17, 19, 22; and many others.

Romans 8.28-39 is the best statement of this concept; James 1.2-8 is the shortest.

What's required is

1. Realization that trials which test us reveal the goodness of God. Romans 12.2.

2. Realization that the Holy Spirit will identify and confirm His work as we search the Scriptures. John 8.31-32; 15.7; 17.17; Acts 17.11; 2 imothy 2.15, 3.16-17; Hebrews 2.1-4, 4.1-2, 12.1-3.

3. The sacrifice of our conveniences to seek the Lord our God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When the love of God fills our heart, soul, mind, and strength, that love will overflow to all we know and meet. Romans 5.1-5;

2 Peter 1.2-11.