I. Introduction A. Your Heart Attitude is Your Perspective B. Your Perspectives Direct Your Actions How do you perceive the future? Problems? Trials? God? Yourself? C. We must use biblical words and categories. Positive Thinking Or Faith and Hope? II. Let’s Start with a Realistic Perspective on Life. James 1:2,12 A. Life is filled with trials. It is a certainty of life. B. Believers Must have a Believing Perspective of Trials C. Definition of Trials 1. Obstacles. 2. Things to test us. The two uses of fire - a. Some fire burns up b. Some fire hardens and strengthens the metal. 3. Trials are tempting. Vs. 14 D. Trials are trials because they are NOT random events.
III. The Perspective of Trials A. A realistic perspective - Ps. 39:3, 9-11 B. A penetrating realization of God’s hand in the circumstances of the trials of our lives. C. The right reaction - Silence 1. Not filling life with distractions in the cacophony of life 2. Not a stoical, unfeeling silence. 3. Not backbiting, complaining, irritation with God 4. The silence of awe 5. The silence of sweet resignation
D. Trials are things to endure. James 1:12 1. Trials have an end. 2. The message is not “You can overcome/solve your problems.” 3. Hupomeno - Abide under. Continue believing and obeying under the added weight. 4. Thorny ground hearers (Mt. 13:21) are offended, and do not endure.
E. Trials are God’s way to blessing. Vs. 12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life.” Lamentations 3:1-23 Eg. Does a father want to cause his child pain? Or does a father want his child repenting? In his heart he wants the best… but he will spank his child. 1. What do you believe concerning God? Mean, vindictive or loving Father? Faith perspective maintains the Lam. 3 perspective. 2. “It is of the Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed. 3. Count it all joy - Vs. 2
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