A Biblical Alternative to Self-Pity 3.30.08

James 1:1-4

James 1:1-4 (ESV)     

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:    Greetings.     [2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Introduction-There are many responses to pain and suffering. 

-One can suffer and not believe in God. 

-One can suffer and be bitter toward God. 

-One can suffer and thank God. 

The Bible shows us how we can suffer and thank God.  Our tendency, even as Christians, is to suffer and become so focused on the suffering that we become self-absorbed in our pain.  Self-pity is the result.  Depression, gloom, and fear follow.  How is it that we, as believers, are to handle trouble that comes our way?  It will come.

Job 5:7 (ESV)      but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. Just as sparks in a fire go up because of heat, we will meet up with trouble because we live in a sinful world.James shows us in his opening that handling trouble God’s way begins with proper understanding of who we are and why we are to endure hardship.If we’re going to handle trouble in a way that brings God honor we must have a proper understanding of who we are. Continue Reading