Dear friends,

Life doesn’t always go as we planned. But I’m pretty sure you didn’t need me to tell you that. 

You were on the way to a business meeting, and a tire blows out. You were leaving on a cruise, and your mom has a stroke. You were going to stay with your company until retirement, and management had a different plan. You were looking forward to having children, and the children never came. You woke up excited about your day, and before the sun sets the bottom has fallen out of it. 

When IT happens (whatever IT is), we feel tremendous disappointment and start doubting everything, including God and ourselves. In his song "Beautiful Boy," John Lennon sings, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

He had no idea when he wrote those words his life would end on a New York Street. The last words of the brilliant lyricist were “I’ve been shot.” 

In his short letter in the New Testament, James give us what appears to be some crazy advice. “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2).

This Sunday we are going to talk about a Faith That Works When Trouble Comes. My prayer is that it will be a good word for those who are enduring IT right now, whatever IT is. I also pray that it will prepare the rest of us for IT whenever IT comes. James has some real down to earth practical help for us.
 
See you Sunday,
 
David