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NOT LOSING HEART IN THE MIDST OF AFFLICTION

Life can sometimes be so unbearable. There are so many things in life that can come our way that can bring us great discouragement if we are not careful. We today are living in a world full of surprises. It almost seems that life is no longer what it used to be in the long ago. In the days of a much simpler form of life, it was easier to deal with life; but now we live in a very hectic world, where all seem to be in a hurry to get nowhere. People are sometimes so materialistic and so ambitious to get ahead in life that they have forgotten what life is all about.

In the book written by James, he addresses Christians that were becoming discouraged because of trials and tribulations which were coming their way. And James says to these brethren that we all can learn from those who have gone before us and we can learn from the examples they have left us to follow. We read in James 5:10-11,"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and tender of mercy."

The prophets of old did not meet with much success, and yet they would never give up preaching what the Lord wanted the people to hear. It is very discouraging for anyone who has been involved in sharing the Word of God with others to find that there are many who are lost in their sins and in their ignorance, and yet do not want to take the time to hear those words that can help them be right with God. Some of these people are so contradictory that they are not happy just rejecting the Word of God, they have to make the lives of those who are trying to do what is right before God as unbearable as they can. James told the brethren of the first century, as well as us, not to become discouraged with what people may do to us for trying to be as faithful as we can be. Rather we should learn from those that went before us and see how they also suffered much, yet never gave up, and they continued to be faithful all the days of their lives. One good example of one who lost all he had is Job. In one day he lost all of his family, all of his possessions, all of his animals, and all of his servants; yet, he said, "Jehovah God giveth, Jehovah God taketh away; let the name of Jehovah be blessed." How do we deal with discouragement when it comes our way? Let us never give up, for in due time we shall reap what we have sowed.