"Consider it pure joy, my brothres, whener 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 1:2-3)
How do trials have anything to do with evangelism???? The way the 'world' sees us going through difficult situations can be a shining witness to the glory of God! I have thought a lot about one of the teachers at the school where I teach. Her twelve-year-old son, Bradley, got a staff infection and almost died before he got to the hospital. As he wavered between life and death for several days, the amount of people coming to the waiting room to pray for him was astounding. Others in the same intensive care unit saw the people and heard the prayers. Food and gift cards were given in abundance to Bradley's family to the point that his family was able to share with other families in desperate situations. Those in the waiting room heard the family thank the Lord for Bradley's life, pray for his healing, but also acknowledge that God is the One who gives and takes away.
God answered all the prayers and Bradley survived the staff infection....only to find out a day later that he also had leukemia! That was a real blow to the family. However, that news started a journey of three months in the hospital where the whole family was able to minister to nurses, doctors, other parents of children in the hospital, technicians, maintenance people, etc. as well as through a blog that was updated every day. God carried and is still carrying this family through a tremendous trial. Bradley is still having treatment of chemotherapy, but is getting stronger. Only God knows what is around the corner, but true evangelism took place between words acknowledging the peace and strength that comes from Christ, actions, and prayers. God is a God of peace and He carries us through trials. May we all trust Him with the situations that occur in our lives! And may His light and the Word of Truth shine through us!!
