Mini-Bible-Philosophy-Worldview Study (3) Of The Day- On Trials And Joys
Verse Of The Day
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2–3)
**brothers and sisters here equals believers**
Related Quotes
“It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”- Charles Spurgeon
“God guides his church, maintains her always, and especially in difficult times. Let us never lose this vision of faith, which is the only true vision of the way of the church and the world.”- Pope Benedict XVI
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.”- Buddha
Questions For Discussion
Is it difficult for you to count your “trials” as “joys” in your own life?
In some ways today’s verse is designed to teach Christians to “flatten the curve” of their emotions.
Is it difficult for you to maintain your emotional center, both in times of joy and in struggle?
Do you find yourself unable to visualize a positive outcome in difficult moments?
Bonus Verses
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
Commentary- On Empty Cookie Boxes And Expats In Tiny Closets
Craig note- I love cookies. Oh, and I could use a little more space as an expat these days in Japan.
On Empty Cookie Boxes
I love cookies. My beloved mother used to make cookies multiple times a week. I ate them as fast as she could make them as a boy. She was always happy I enjoyed her baking.
But, I am 45.
And, well, I can tell you being 44 and loving cookies is not a match made in Weight Watchers heaven.
But, I still eat cookies.
In fact, I have a cookie closet in my classroom. It’s a dark, cool place to hide my cookies, teas, and coffee. Those delicious snacks would be long gone if any of the staff found them.
Did I mention young Japanese women love sweets?
Seriously.
Usually, I have a fair amount of willpower. My daily cookie limit is two. But, the other day I got the munchies, and I went to my cookie closet. I opened the door, and I saw a box of my favorite cookies. I foamed at the mouth as I opened the box.
But, much to my dismay, the box was empty.
Completely empty.
I looked high and low in that cookie closet for any hint of my favorite cookies. A minute or two passed, and I gave up looking for my favorite cookie. And, I searched for any cookies.
There were none.
I took everything out of that tiny closet, and I looked high and low for even a single cookie. Five minutes later, I found a melted, crushed, chocolate wafer cookie in the back.
Truthfully, I questioned aloud, “Exactly, how old is this cookie?”
That rational thought was brushed aside, and I ripped open the shiny, gold wrapper.
And I ate it.
Boys and girls, it was the best cookie I have ever had in my life. There was something about the effort to get that little snack that made it all the more delicious.
Funny, life in Japan is a lot like finding that well-earned treat for me these days.
I remember a time in Japan when the cookies of my life were huge. Things like my social life and my job were enjoyable. It was easy to be a positive and happy person.
Honestly, life in Japan was heaven for about five years.
These days my life here is still amazing. But, to be sure, it is not heaven anymore. I work harder to be a positive and happy person than I did 15 years ago.
To be sure, and most certainly by choice, I stayed in Japan, and I brought more folks into my life. These people depend on me for their happy lives.
And, I deliver 100% of the time. You can bet your soul on that.
Of course, that comes often at a fair amount of personal cost. That is not to complain about my lot in Japan. Rather, it is to say there are times in my life when I want life’s big cookies.
I think I deserve big cookies.
Truth be told, I want the biggest cookie for me.
But, of course, so does every other expat living on this island. The proverbial cookie closet in Japan is getting awfully cramped while the number of foreigners seeking to get in that little space with me is increasing.
So, while my stomach and life longs for big cookies and the biggest dreams, I appreciate the fact that both my tiny cookie closet and life are not empty.
Still, one day it would be nice not to have to fight for nothing more than: “empty cookie boxes.”
Grey, Grizzled, and Gaijin
