[Problems.]
April 16th, 2006 -- 9:44 p.m.

I just have to say...God is amazing.  I've been struggling with a lot of stuff lately and tonight at church, the lesson was pretty much directed at my life.  It was awesome.  It struck me so hard...It was just great.

I was the first of the youth to get there tonight and I had a good while to sit alone in the youth room and talk to God.  I got out my prayer journal and wrote this:

I pray for closure...either the closure of my situation in whole or the doors leading up to it.  I'm so frustrated and my heart is in the right place.  It is with You, but I don't think the world sees that because they're judging me by their own standards.  I'm not a bad person.  I really am living my life for God.  I'm just over-coming certain obstacles that have been placed in my way.  I pray for the ability to remain level-headed in all that I deal with.  I pray for peace and that You open my heart to all You have for me.  Just hold my eyes open wide.  I want to see You and what You have for me.

Then, I began to read over Psalm 34.  Three verses stuck out to me and hit my heart:

v17  The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.
v18  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
v19  A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all.

It just struck a chord.  Everything is going to be fine.  God has me in His hands.

Then came the lesson.  It was more than perfect.  God works in the most amazing ways, people.  Oh my goodness.  I was floored.  We read out of the book of James in chapter 1 and in verses 1-12  (written below).  The lesson was as follows: (as I wrote down in my personal notes)

James1:1-12
[1]James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.  [2]Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3]because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  [4]Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  [5]If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  [6]But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  [7]That man should not think he will recieve anything from the Lord; [8]he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  [9]The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  [10]But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  [11]For the sun rises with scorching head and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty destroyed.  In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.  [12]Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will recieve the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Trials and Temptations
[Problems We Deal With Daily]

Four Facts of Life
1.  Problems are inevitable.  (We can never get around them, they're just going to happen.  No if's, and's, or but's about it.)  This is proven in scripture, "...whenever you face trials..."  Not "if" or "when you possibly may come across them."

2.  Problems are unpredictable.  (We may not be able to see on the other side of the huge wall we're facing, but God can and as long as we are faithful, we will scale that wall.)  "...when you face trials..."

3.  Problems are various.  (No problems are exactly the same.  Something that is an issue to one person may mean nothing to another.)  "...trials of many kinds..."

4.  Problems are purposeful.  (Problems allow us to see our need for God.)  "...realize they come...to produce in you..."

What do problems do for us?
-  Problems purify my faith.  James 1:3
-  Problems fortify my patience.  James 1:3b
-  Problems sanctify my character.  James 1:4

How to Handle Your Problems
-  Request : James 1:5 = If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 

-  Resolve : James 1:6 = But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

-  Relax : James 1:4 = Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

-  Rejoice : James 1:2 = Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

I'm sure not many of you actually read this whole thing, but if you did, I hope it touched your heart in some way and made some kind of sense to you.  It's amazing how God can speak to you when you think you've reached the end of your rope.  One of my most favorite quotes ever, "When you've reached the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." -Thomas Jefferson.

I love you guys.

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