As we continue to talk about Making the Best of a Bad Situation, and seeking wisdom in the process, our focus today is learning how to L.A.S.T. in times of trial.

Let Patience Work

James 1:4 – “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Remember that patience does not mean being passive. Patience is a cheerful endurance, and as we use that patience in the midst of our trials, the patience is itself doing work for us and in us. Also, its reference to perfect is not in terms of being sinless, but rather its full and mature state. During a trial, the challenge is to bring together all the broken pieces.  At times, we try to hide the broken pieces and wonder why we are not whole.  We choose to bring forth the selective parts, but a trial requires us to bring all pieces of our brokenness to make a thing whole.  We must allow God, in the midst of a trial, to give us the strength and courage to let everything, even that which is broken, come together. All that has transpired in life is no secret to God. Let Him have all of you and allow patience to work.

Ask for Wisdom

James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Do not be afraid to go to God for insight, for the scripture says He is giving it liberally and without reproach. In giving without reproach, it is given without being scolded, without mocking, without judgement. During these trials we should be encouraged to not waste the moment.

“Go through it, learn from it, and be better after it.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

Through the trials that we experience, God is giving us lifelong lessons. Remember, wisdom is the ability to make decisions at the most opportune time. If any of us lacks clarity into the insight of a trial, ask and seek wisdom from God freely, without the fear of reproach.

Stay in Faith

James 1: 6 – “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

Many times, people might feel that having questions equates to having doubts. There is a difference between having questions and having doubts. Questions are necessary and give you the ability to discern. To doubt is to waver from one side to the other. It is similar to being led by our faith as opposed to being led by our emotions. Our emotions may change, but our faith remains the same. We must stay in faith using our own self talk. We must not allow our mouth or words to come against what God has said.

“Circumstances change, but my God does not.” – Dr. D’Ann Johnson.

Our faith should be just like an anchor. It is cast into the waters to hold and grip the earth. The anchor keeps the boat, although the waves seem to toss it about, it remains steadfast.  That anchor is our belief, and that belief is our faith.

Trust God

When God says a thing, it will be done. The end of James 1:5  reads “…and it will be given to him.”  Trust says that your confidence is in God, even if the outcome is different then what you anticipated. We continue to trust. Through scriptures such as Psalm 40:1-3, we witness His promise to others, and even through that we find God trustworthy. Trust comes over a period of time. In our walk with God we develop the trust that develops the confidence we continue to have in God.

In closing

Trials are indiscriminate and inevitable. We will all encounter trials at some point, and we will walk through trials in different ways. However, the only way to L.A.S.T. in a trial is to let patience work, ask for wisdom, stay in faith, and trust God.