7 Memory Verses to Change a Victim to a Victor, Part 4—James 1:2
May 21, 2007
Dear Friend,
Our fourth memory verse to change a victim into a victor is taken from James 1:2.
Principle #4 – My brothers, consider it a great joy when trials of many kinds come upon you. (James 1:2 NJB)
The trials we face in life don’t have to be as painful as we make them. Much of the pain we feel is a direct result of our diabolos thinking on the matter. Let’s take two different mindsets on the same trial as an example.
Let’s say that two twin brothers, Brother Victim and Brother Victor, work together side by side at the same job. Their lives are almost identical in that they worship together, have similar wives, similar finances, similar educations and so forth. On the same day, both of these brethren lose their jobs in a layoff.
Brother Victim is devastated. He thinks to himself – “What am I going to do? I shouldn’t have lost my job. I was a good worker. I was only 5 years away from retirement. I am too old to get another good job. What are my friends and family going to say? What am I going to do for insurance? How am I ever going to retire now? What if I can’t make my car payments? What if I lose my house? I so wish I hadn’t lost that job!”
Brother Victor, on the other hand, sees things a little differently. He prays “God, I know that all things work for good. I know you love me and are with me. Perhaps you have a better job in store for me. Perhaps this will allow me to have more time off to do your work. Perhaps I was getting a little complacent and needed shaking up a little bit. I am not sure what you have in store for me, Father, but I trust you. I know whatever it is; it is for my good so in that I can rejoice. Thank you for this trial, Lord.”
We have the same trials and two entirely different reactions. One brother sees a land filled with giants and the other sees a land filled with milk and honey. Which is right? Two brothers have the exact same trial, but who suffers the most?
On a completely practical level, which of the two will be better poised to get a new job? The brother who is paralyzed by fear and wishing things to be different than they are or the one who sees God’s will and the opportunity to improve?
For those who may think this is just another pitch for positive-thinking like so many success industry gurus, think again. This is the word of God working in our lives to transform our diabolos thinking into Godly thinking. People who are not covered by the saving name of Jesus Christ do not share in these promises and are not covered by them. Sure, positive thinking may benefit them also, not in the same way. Remember, the promise is “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The faithful reap the benefits of faith. Our thinking in the face of trials is a window into our faith. Believers, in the truest sense of the word, can rejoice in trials because they have promises regarding those trials and realize them now, at least in part, because of that faith.
Have a great week,
Kyle Tucker
