August 30, 2018

Everything Happens for a Reason?

August 30, 2018

DAILY READING

James 1:1-8
This weekend’s reading: Genesis 6:11-22

FIELD NOTES

The old saying, “everything happens for a reason,” is pervasive in our culture, and has been shown to be untrue by many Christian authors.  Adam Hamilton says it best, I think when he says rather than everything happens for a reason, we should say that God can use anything to bring about growth in our lives.

James speaks about hardship, and how rather than wallowing in self-pity, we should embrace hardship as opportunities to grow in our faith.  God will help us as we develop endurance and spiritual maturity. 

God doesn’t cause bad things to happen.  We don’t believe that.  What we do believe is that God can and will use those bad things to bring about grace and growth in our lives.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FIELD

  • What do I need to give over to God in order to grow?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

  • How do we learn from hard times?
PRAYER

God, may we always remember you work all things together for the good of those whom you love.  May we always bring our troubles to your feet.  Amen and amen.