Page 2 - Good News October 2008 paper

...a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he
hid himself and watched to see if anyone would
remove the huge rock.
Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and
courtiers came by and simply walked around it.
Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the
roads clear, but none did anything about getting the
stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the
stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and
straining, he finally succeeded.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables
again, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the
boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king
indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
Every obstacle presents an
The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an
opportunity to improve our condition.
opportunity to improve our condition.
[Author unknown]
"Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when
the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try to
squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will
be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete" (James 1:2-4, Life
Application Bible).
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4, NIV).

The word temptation used in verse 1 refers to trials or testing. It does not mean an
enticement to do evil. James doesn't say if the way is rough, but when it is rough. He
assumes we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. James tells us to
Rough times can teach us patience.
turn our hardships into times of learning. Rough times can teach us patience.
We can't really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure.
It is easy to be kind when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are
treating us unfairly? Instead of complaining about our struggles, we
should see them as opportunities for growth.
Thank God for promising to be with you in rough times. Ask Him to help
you solve your problems or give you the strength to endure them. Then
be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems, He will stay
close by and help you grow.