People are often supried when they see Christians make mistakes. Especially Christian leaders, and Pastors. Having been in youth ministry for over six years I have made my share of coments that I wish I could have taken back. The one that comes to mind was on a Wednesday night we were talking about Psalm 53:1 and why students need to know what Scripture says and what it does not say. I switched this verse around and made two parts. The first part of the message I talked about that there was no God, and told the students who never brought their Bibles that I was quoting Scripture from Psalm 53:1 and asked for their opinions. Most did not question that the Bible would say that, and a few spoke up and disagreed. I asked them to share a verse that opposed this idea and they of course were silent which was the point I was trying to make. THe second part of the message we looked at "The fool" which opened into a discussion of developing Spiritual habbits for studying and learning to interpret Scripture.
The problem did not show up for a few weeks until I was visiting a youth who had not shown up for a few Wednesday nights. She left early that night and only got half the message. She quit coming to church because she heard me say "There is no God" and figured that attending Church was pointless then.
Why did I write about this? If we take ourselves to serious, then when we make mistakes we fail to see them as learning oppurtunities. Instead we allow the failures to tear us down and rob us of our joy.
James 1:2 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." Pure joy is not happiness. "Happiness" comes from the word "happen." Happiness, therefore, is based on what is happening. If something good is happening, then you are happy. However, God says that pure joy occurs even in the midst of trials--even when the car breaks down, or when the kids get sick, or when the boss cuts your hours, or when your spouse is in a bad mood, etc.
Why is James telling us to count it pure joy whenever we face trials? Because joy gives you strength to fight your trials, and if you'll fight the trials, you will overcome. James continues, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (v. 4). You see, James has in mind "victory over trials", not "acceptance of his trials." So by rejoicing, you overcome your trials.
Nehemiah 8:10: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Strength means "place of safety, protection, refuge". It is from the primary root which means "to be strong."
So the next time you face an embarsing moment realize that God is not finished with you yet, and is still trying to restore you to be all that He created you to be.
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