Rejoicing in Suffering

This morning when I woke up there were three scripture passages running through my head:
James 1:2,3: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I have never before had three very similar passages just in my mind when I woke up.  This summer, the larger passage of Romans 12 was very influential to me, but I haven't even read James or 1 Thessalonians for months.  I know that suffering is a part of the Christian life, and that at some point in the future I will be facing a trial, so these verses will constantly be a reminder for me to persevere while rejoicing. Here is a poem I wrote about a year ago:
Denial or death,
one will be the path

which I choose,
who'll lose,
the truth or the lie?
Will I live or die?
If He wins,
I'll live again.
The choice I make,
the promises I won't break,
I'll die to gain,
though there is much pain.
I cannot deny,
for this I will die:
the Love that holds fast
and cleansed my path.
I pray that I will be able to make that choice when the time comes.

O Be Careful...

"Let not those who hope in you be put to shame though me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel." Ps. 69:6
In the Christian walk, often our only concern is not sinning.  However, how often do we consider the effects our actions may have on others? We do not want to put the name of Jesus to shame, but we do not always extend that caution as it concerns our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In 1 Corinthians 8:9 we are told to be careful that the exercise of our freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. Why? Because "the weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.  When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." 1 Cor 8:11,12
Also, Jesus said in Mark 9:42: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and were thrown into the sea." In Luke  17:1, the parallel passage, Jesus says, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!" Let us endeavor to lead upright lives so that we will cause no shame--to ourselves, to others and ultimately to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Promises

"But as for me, my prayer is to you O LORD, at an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.  Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.  Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy turn to me." Ps 69:13-16

In this prayer, David is asking for deliverance and assurance.  The part that stood out to me was v. 15--"Let not the flood sweep over me," which reminded me of Isaiah 43:2, which says, "When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."  God does not promise to take away our trials, nor should we ask for that.  He promises that He will be with us amidst our trials and will protect us from what we cannot bear.  Why? "Because your are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you." (Is 43:4b) God promises this to "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." (Is 43:7) How precious and sweet are the promises of God!