4. When Faith Overcomes Trials With Joy (James 1:2-4)

A few years ago, Ben, a young 19-year-old, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer. Throughout this trial, his mother, Lisa, published a blog documenting their journey with their son. While Ben initially responded well to chemotherapy and their hopes were high for a bone marrow transplant, a routine blood test and lumbar puncture right before the procedure revealed that the cancer had returned. Because he had relapsed, the transplant was canceled, and Ben began a second, 30-week intensified course of treatment. In her blog, Lisa, asked, “So where does this leave us? ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.’ When asked how Ben does it, or how we, as a family, are doing, our answer is plain and simple. In God’s strength alone, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength.’” When I read this, I thought what an amazing attitude Ben’s mom had. Would I have that kind of response if I were facing such a test? All of us, at some point in our lives, experience trials—perhaps ...