The Battle Within When Things Break Outside (James 1:2-4)

Spiritual warfare can come in all shapes and sizes. In February after returning from Arizona it was a hot water heater and a latch on the dish washer. This time it was the heating element in the oven and the riding tractor.

Each time there was an easy physical one and a not so easy physical one, one which I dealt with better than the other and one not so much. This time the oven was the pretty easy one and the riding lawn tractor is down to one of two reasonable problems which I hope to resolve, knowing that I may still take the mower in for repairs.

Taking it one step at a time and not letting the trials get the best (or worst in actuality) of my emotions is a good thing. Reminding myself that God is good and that He is faithful in all trials of all sorts is much better.

Generally with the physical trails there are other ones as well. This is true here, and the answer is still the same.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)

June 17th addendum: I also forgot that my pad sander busted in the middle of this, while trying to complete a new Roadrunner Whirligig inspired from my most recent trip. Today the parts came, and this evening with a few minutes of work I had a like new sander for a third of the price. I took this one in stride, but as I stride I am continually aware that the battle for the mind continues and it is so incredibly important for us to walk according to the Spirit and not allowing room for our actions or our attitudes to succumb to the desires or frustrations of the flesh.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” ... “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16, 22–25, NASB95)