I recently had the privilege of interviewing Dan Scott, the national Moderator of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. [Link below.] When he was a boy, he watched his house burn to the ground in an act of arson. The next morning his father read James 1:2-3 to him and his siblings: “Consider it pure joy, … Continue reading Joy, even after watching his house burn down
hardship
Don’t get knocked off centre
It’s a new year. It looks like smooth sailing, doesn’t it? Um, probably not. It’s a year in which uncertainty seems like the only certainty. That’s why we need to remind ourselves that God is always certain and steadfast, even when the things around us aren’t. Psalm 102:27 heralds a reminder: “But you remain the … Continue reading Don’t get knocked off centre
The future you? A pillar of righteousness and peace
Imagine someone describing you like this: “They’re a pillar! They try to live rightly before God and others, and are free from excessive worry.” Wouldn’t that be great! But hold on, let’s back up a minute. There are times when hardship is discipline from God. I’m not saying that all hardship is discipline from our … Continue reading The future you? A pillar of righteousness and peace
Why some people can endure intense distress
Tom Long says that “People can endure intense distress and pain if they know it is not meaningless.”* Very true. Consider this illustration from William Gurnall: “If you should get up in the morning and hear men on your house tearing off the tiles and taking down the roof with hammers and axes, you might … Continue reading Why some people can endure intense distress
Trials can be trainers and teachers
Trials. Hardships. You have them. I have them. They’re not fun. But what if there was some greater purpose behind some of them? In Hebrews 12: 7, 10 we read: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children… God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his … Continue reading Trials can be trainers and teachers
You have to go out!
In Cape May, New Jersey, a commander of a ship was aboard with his men. They were getting ready to head out onto the open waters. A massive storm was brewing. One of the young men shouted, “But, Captain! If we go out there, we may never come back.” The captain answered, “Son, you don’t … Continue reading You have to go out!
A shared sorrow and a shared solution
There are times when you go through something challenging. You’re downcast. People can tell. They ask you if you want to talk about it. “Oh no,” you respond, “you’d never understand.” They say: “Try me.” So you share something about your struggle—just a little, not a lot. But it’s just enough for that other person … Continue reading A shared sorrow and a shared solution
Courage for the battle
Imagine three scenarios. In the first, there you stand with your fellow troops about to head into a life-or-death battle. But you don’t know who your leader is going to be. Out he comes from the tent behind you. None of you has any idea who he is. That certainly doesn’t give you much confidence … Continue reading Courage for the battle
Sorrow to sweetness
Hardship isn’t the end of the story, nor is it the end of your story. This is easy to agree with when you’re experiencing smooth sailing. It’s harder to do so when times are tough. William Gurnall has some helpful, scriptural perspective: “Scripture gives three illustrations of great joy: the joy of a new mother, … Continue reading Sorrow to sweetness
Able to withstand anything
You’re able to withstand anything if you’re standing for the right things. Consider Paul. He persevered even though he had been put in prison, flogged, exposed to death, beaten with rods, pelted with stones, and shipwrecked three times. (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28) But it wasn’t for nothing. It was so that GOD could continue his … Continue reading Able to withstand anything
