Over the last month or so our community has seen more tragedies than one would expect during a short period. There was a car accident that resulted in the loss of two precious young girls from our church and also the the passing of a good friend's mom who was the nurse that took excellent care of Ayden on his first day of life. These and few other unmentionables have lately had me thinking about how we as believers are to respond to suffering.

This past weekend I read about the murder of a pastor's daughter here in Alberta. The 14 year old, small town girl went out for a walk and never made it back home. Currently there are still no leads as to the killer's identity. On his blog, the girl's father wrote of "the need for Christians to build a foundation in good theology in preparation for suffering, for suffering will indeed come." This is so true.

That need for preparation is a large part of the purpose of the Final Authority study Jim teaches each Tuesday to a college and career group. It's an opportunity to build a solid Biblical foundation in our minds. That way when trials and sufferings knock at our door, when seemingly unfair and mind-shocking events rock our inner core, we are mentally equipped to respond by seeing the situation through the eyes of the Lord (Divine View Point) rather than looking at things from our own perspective (Human View Point).

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Rom. 12:2)

Thankfully the Bible offers us a strategy for walking by faith that begins in our minds. A way of continually shaping our minds to prepare for the battle of life. A way of starting with the correct thinking strategy and ending up with a proper behavioral response. A way using our mind's eye to look at things in light of eternity.

Here's an encouraging reminder that the promised result of responding to trials with a Divine View Point is divine reward:

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1: 12)