ENDURING VS OVERCOMING

How do you react to trials?  Do you endure them, or do you overcome them?

Have you ever wondered why the Apostle James challenged us in James 1:2 to count it all joy when we fall into trials?  Why would anyone be crazy enough to consider a trial a thing of joy?  I think the joy lies in overcoming our trials rather than buckling down and enduring them.  We can triumph over our trials through faith and patience.  Faith and patience -- I call them the "power twins".

Jesus wants us to be overcomers even as He was.  He says in John 16:33, "I have overcome the world."  Christ overcame sin, death, hell and the grave.  And when you and I realize that He has already defeated Satan (for us, I might add), we, too, will be overcomers over everything Satan sends our way.

Trouble WILL come our way.  I Peter 4:12 says, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . ."  He doesn't suggest that trials MIGHT come our way.  He takes it for granted that trials are GOING to come -- and we know they will!  But when they do come, God will cause us to triumph over them if we trust in Him.

We don't have to let go of our peace just because trials and tribulations come our way.  Read what Paul says in Romans 5:1-4, how he overcame and what he learned from the trials that came his way.  Then let us follow his example and learn to be overcomers when faced with the difficulties and problems of life.  Don't be content just to "endure" your trials any longer.

Preacher's Kid