-Strength for Today- "When Hard Times Hit." - James 1:16-18.

     One thing that I can assure you of, is that life is hard. It’s a fact that the trials you face are designed just for you. Therefore, the key to remember is that God fits the trial to the person so that what happens to them

·       Can’t be compared with

·       What happens to someone else.

     Our struggles aren’t all the same because we have a wise Heavenly Father, who fits trial to the person intended. In a sense, James whole letter is about how to respond when we’re under pressure. He reminds us that trials are a necessary part of our “spiritual growth”, and that We should, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be patience and entire, wanting nothing,” (James 1:2-4), and that there’s a blessing reserved for those who respond rightly (James 1:12), and don’t blame God when hard times comes (James 1:13–15), because, “God is good all the time”, even during our hardest trials.

    This passage shows us three things we need to remember if we’re going to pass our “test” with flying colors.

1. Remember God’s love. Verse 16 says, “Don’t be deceived, my beloved brethren. When hard times come, it’s easy to blame God for our problems, like Adam in the Garden of Eden. We’re experts at passing the buck. So remember, God is not on trial, we are.

   So don’t be deceived into thinking you can blame God for the temptations we face. That’s the first thing James wants us to see. And we’re to.

        2. Remember God’s goodness. Verse 17 assures us that “Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above...” We must not blame God for our temptations because evil desire leads to sin which leads to death (vv. 13–15). Therefore:

·       If you can read my words, you must be alive.

·       If you are alive, it’s a gift from God.

     So why don’t you thank Him, right now for the gift of hope and life that He’s given you for such a time as this. Even the best Christian would have no hope of heaven without the “shining mercy of God”. Therefore, in every situation, no matter what, God will never “not” be good. God could never be less than good, because everything He does is good. Therefore, we’re to,

        3. Remember God’s grave. Verse 18 tells us that God saved us, “of His own.”    

   We at our best are but a “fallible,” “broken people,” without hope.  But our God is good and faithful, and gracious, “not willing that any should perish, but will come to repentance.”  What a beautiful way to put it. I’m glad our hope doesn’t depend on the:

·       Fickle sway of circumstances but on the

·       Solid rock called God.

     That’s what James want us to Remember: God’s:

·       Love,

·       Goodness, and  

·       Grace.

     Which are beautiful memories of the right things that’ll l keep us strong when hard times hit!

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD