Think About It

The other day I did a lesson on the difference between “temptations” and “trials”.   While these words or often used interchangeably, there seems to be a distinct difference between them.   In fact, the New Testament book of James takes on the topic by noting, “ Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ” (James 1:3-4).   In essence, God provides trials to challenge us to grow; but satan tempts us in an effort to steal our soul.   To put it succinctly, trials are good – temptations are bad. At the end of the lesson a friend of mine added another “T” to the mix – “tragedies”.   As we considered tragedies we discussed that due to circumstances, sometimes things happen.   Sure, some tragedies (such as school shootings and drug-induced crashes) have a connection to evil, but I can’t believe that God is the Source of all tragedies and I am not sure that the devil is always to blame when traumatic events

Have you noticed how easy it is to argue policies?  Whether it is immigration, health care, social injustices, or whatever else the issue of the day happens to be, it is simple to develop a philosophy and be adamant in our defense of it.  We can sit in our “ivy covered castles” and remain unyielding about what we know to be right for the rest of the world.  While it is easy to develop a uncompromising ideology when it comes to rules, the thing that creates a problem for us is people.  The less we see the “policies” and the closer we are to the “people”, the more difficult things become.  As long as I don’t know any aliens ... or poor ... or mentally challenged ... or addicted people I can remain staunch I in my principles, but when a personal element becomes involved it is more difficult to toe the hardline.  That transition is called “compassion”.  It is great to be able to exchange ideas based upon clean, clinical circumstances; but we change the world one living person at a tim