Profiting from trials

Consider your faith tested whenever you suffer, whenever you doubt, whenever you fail to answer God's call. It's how you respond to trials and tribulations that can bring glory to God.
     Do you lament the situation or praise God for bringing you through it? Do you ask for forgiveness and for another opportunity to glorify Him?
     Dayton has suffered two major tragedies in a short period of time: the Memorial Day tornadoes and a mass shooting in the Oregon District. In both instances, I was both amazed and proud of how many people reacted with thanksgiving instead of lamenting their losses. The tornado victims said time after time how blessed they felt to have escaped with their lives and how thankful they were for all of the help and support. The number of people killed in the Oregon District that night was about 2 seconds away from escalating into the double or even triple digits. Police responded within 24 seconds and killed the perpetrator just a couple of feet from entering a packed bar.
     It's okay to cry, to be angry, to ask why, but then, at some point, we need to pick ourselves up and praise God for bringing us through. This is how we profit from trials, by showing how we have the comfort and strength of Jesus within us, and the perseverance to move forward.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 

knowing that the testing of your faith produces

perseverance (or patience or endurance). 

But let perseverance have its perfect work, 

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

*********

Please join me this week in praying for perseverance to talk about Christ.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power