For the Fall, our softball team has been going though The Wiersbe Bible Study Series – Growing Up in Christ, by David C. Cook. It is a study through the book of James. Here are some of my notes:
James 1:1-12 | Trials and Spiritual Maturity
This topic was about wrestling with God and inviting Him into our trials. In verse two it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” A big topic I have been learning is how to suffer well. We will having sufferings in this life and God’s promise is an eternal promise of hope. Meaning some of the sufferings of this world may not end until we get to Heaven. In the western culture, we don’t want to deal with pain for long. We expect God to deliver us incredibly fast. It’s out of entitlement and selfishness, that breeds a demanding heart. Our big c, Church, brothers and sisters on the other side of the world are being persecuted, threatened with their lives, and enslaved. Sadly, those sufferings will not end in the physical world. Yet, they still show great admiration and faith for the Lord. America needs this heavenly hope and endurance. A great parallel of this agony is pictured in Job 10. He has lost so much, going through tragedy after tragedy. In this chapter, he has a close enough relationship with God to bring his emotions, questions, and doubts to the altar. God is big enough to take our anger and other issues. He wants this type of close connection with us.
In my personal life, there was times where I didn’t even want to pray for certain seasons because it brought up too much emotion, too many negative memories, and even my disappointment in God. But prayer is a part of suffering well, it is the physical discipline of faith. I had to learn to bring my resentment and fears to Him, because He sure is powerful and gracious enough to take it. I felt like it has been lifted off of my shoulders, and I am able to transition into new exciting seasons… knowing that whatever happens God has got me, (Philippians 1:6). From this heart posture of surrender, I have also noticed me being able to use these negative moments as testimonies for others. For example, I had a very difficult spring softball season last year. At many times, I wished I could quit or transfer, or even had picked another sport to play. But with the new freshman coming in this fall, I have been able to share things that I failed at, learned, and now find joy in! I am able to pour into people in the midst of my failures and imperfections, because I don’t have to be the perfect one in the first place—that’s Jesus’ job!
From this bible study in James, I have already learned so much. Our groups discussed how we put our problems into perspective, and we shared some difficult things people are going through around us that don’t include athletics, (ex: cancer and suicide). We realized how good God has been to us no matter what, and I’m going to take that into this spring!
