Sweeter Than HoneySample

Embrace the Pecans

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. —James 1:2-3

Butter pecan ice cream is sweet and buttery. It’s a little complex and has plenty to uncover (with those hidden chunks of pecan and all), but in the end it’s not too overwhelming. The Word is filled with encouragement and hope, but it also talks about some pretty tough topics. Like pecans, they can be a little hard to chew. 

You might be tempted to pick them out or avoid that “flavor” altogether. I mean, who really wants to hear about trials, temptations, hard times and all that downer stuff? But let’s be real: Life is messy. You’ll endure trials, you’ll get sick, you’ll be tempted by some pretty tough stuff and there’s no guarantee you won’t fall on hard times.

So what are you going to do? Of course, you can go back to the Psalms for some cry time and comfort. That’s definitely tasty stuff. But you should also prepare yourself by seeing what God has to say about difficult circumstances. Read what the Bible has to say about the hard times and maybe, just maybe, when stuff happens you won’t be as surprised and unprepared. You might even find some joy.

Joy comes when you know who writes your story, when you’ve read the book and when you know how it ends. You know that this life is temporary but the eternal one God prepared for you will be so much better (Jn. 14:3-4). You know that Jesus knows exactly what you’re going through because He lived it too (Heb. 4:15). You know that the Holy Spirit is with you (Jn. 14:26). You know that if you mess up, God is merciful (Lam. 3:23). You know that in the end, Jesus will return and make all things right (Acts 3:21).

Some of God’s truth can be hard to read, and sometimes what He’s asking of us can seem harsh. But, softened by the softness of God’s saving love and plan for your life, life’s crunch times can actually become sweet reminders of His faithfulness.

 Points to Ponder: 

• How do you react to tough circumstances? Was there a time when God got you through a difficulty?
• Are there passages of God’s Word you find tough to chew?
• Read James 1 and 1 Peter 1. What is God revealing to you about difficult times?