“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.”  (James 1:2)

I had a time in my life when I attempted to play golf.  Early on I was taken to a course in Tennessee where one of the holes had a 145 yard sand trap right in front of the tee box.  Needless to say I spend a lot of time in the sand trap that day.  I found myself in sand traps a lot during my golfing days that lead to much aggravation.  Now I think, what if I had spent more time practicing getting out of sand traps?  Knowing how to escape one changes the approach of the game.  The only way you learn to handle the sand trap is to get in the sand trap.  The same is true for trials of life.  Notice that James did not say “if you encounter various trials.”  He said, “when you encounter various trials.”  Like sand traps, your life is going to land in trials.  How do learn to deal with trials?  By going through trials!  What good are trials?  They strengthen your character.  They mature you in the faith.  They help you to experience the victory of the LORD.  So when you find yourself in a “sand trap” of life simply square up, take the correct form, take the swing, and come through it with a victory shot.

Today is January 16.  There is much joy in conquering the sand traps!

Blessings,

Jim