by Deacon Anderson

Mama would say, “Just keep living…” I didn’t understand it
when I was younger but I have a better grasp of it now.  I’ve lived through some things and I now have firsthand experience. We are all going to experience heart aches and pains. We will have trials and tribulations. It is enviable. And if you are a child of the King, then you need to know that some trials are allowed by God as with Job (Job 1:8) and some are performed by God as he did with Jonah (1:4). The bible tells us that God chastens the one he loves (Heb 12:6).

James says we should count it all joy when we fall into the different types of temptations and trials (James 1:2). James is only talking to those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior. He is not telling us to get happy about difficulties and painful situations in which we find ourselves. What he is saying is that the trials that we face are a part of the sanctification process designed to develop our faith and to help us to become more and more like Christ and that’s good news. The trials produce a supernatural result that we call Joy.  Joy is something that the world can’t give or take away. Joy comes from the LORD. It is a byproduct of the receiving the Holy Spirit. It’s one of the indications that we are maturing as Christians (Gal 5:22)

Solomon tell us to trust in the lord and lean not to your own understanding. While things may look bad or even feel bad, we walk and make our decisions by faith and not by sight. Our trust is in the LORD and we believe that he will never fail. Solomon tells us to rest in the fact that God is in control. He knows what he is doing and that he loves us and wants the best for us.

Job really understood this and is a good example or model to follow. He came to understand that life was short. He was the poster child for what James talked about.  It didn’t matter what happened to Job. He lost EVERTHING and his lost was a public. His friends observed him as he suffered lost. His wife pushed him and told him to curse God and die. But Job trusted God and therefore what happen to him didn’t matter. He was so committed that he recognized the process that James spoke about. Job said when he has tried me… When he’s finished testing me… When this trial is over,  I shall come forth as pure gold (Job 23:10)

Many have spent millions trying to find the formula to manage even avoids trials pains and tribulations even though the bible tells us that will have them.  But for those who are in the household of faith, those who are followers of Christ, we know that trials develops patient and patient develops faith and faith produces joy. So we understand what’s going on and know that God is in control.

So if you are a follower of Christ and going through a difficult season in your life?  No whining. Just Shut up!, Look up! , Stand up! and grow up!  GOD will do the rest. He will show up and speak up. He will speak to your problem and your situation. He will help you through it and he will give you joy in the midst of it. If you are saying, “what problems?”, I haven’t experience anything I couldn’t handle or would be considered a trial or tribulation. I will tell you just like mama told me.  Just Keep Livening.