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James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Wow, here it is…a new year. Can you believe it? What will 2023 bring? What amazing experiences are in store? What new endeavors will be trod? What exciting adventures await? What new relationships will be fostered? What fresh knowledge will we gain? What innovations will we embrace? What new places will we visit? Wow, think of the possibilities. Yet in all this, there will be times of difficulty. But difficulty can be a good thing!
Let me explain with a moment I had with a few of my grandsons. They were all over for Christmas and after opening gifts the three oldest were deep into building a very difficult Lego Pokémon character. I had warned the boys that this was rated for much older kids, but I thought they could handle it. They all dove in and you could see this was pushing their Lego-Master abilities. One asked for a drink of water and a snack like they had just come off the soccer field and needed a little breather and some sustenance. About 30 minutes into it one of them said, “Papa, this is hard!” Another said, “It’s too difficult!!” I replied, “I know but difficult can be a good thing.” They all looked up and one said, “How can difficult be a good thing, Papa?” Kristi (my wife and long-time teacher) said, “Doing something challenging helps you learn to keep going and difficult projects make your brain grow.” I add that completing something that is tough makes the finishing of it that much more joyful. As well, we feel even more proud that we accomplished such a demanding endeavor. Actually, persevering through difficulty can help us grow.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
As well, when we go through difficulty with God’s help, we can help others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Just like exercise and the difficulty of pushing ourselves makes us stronger, so do the trials of life. We have no idea what 2023 will bring. Yet we know there will be some amazing times and some difficult times. Those difficult times do not have to define us, but they can refine us and help us to be more of who God created us to be.
Oh, with the boys and their question about how difficult can be a good thing, one of them looked up with determination on their face and said, “We got this Papa, I think I feel my brain growing!” Later that night we celebrated the accomplishment of their difficult project.
Being around others when difficulty hits can be a great encouragement in life. If you do not already have a church you attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. We are a fun, welcoming church that loves God and seeks to live life His way. Each Sunday we study the Bible and have a great time together. We would love for you to join us. Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our gatherings. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Finding the good in difficulty along with you,
Mike McKay, Lead Pastor, Neighborhood Church
