127 hours

My family and I watched this riveting movie the other night. It was a testament to one man's endurance under extreme circumstances. In this biographical movie, James Franco plays Aron Ralston, a real life adventurer who became trapped by a boulder when he was rock climbing in 2003. His arm became pinned and no help was on the way. Ralston had no recourse but to sever his arm, in order to save his own life.

I found the story fascinating because of Ralston's ingenuity and resilience. It made me wonder how I would hold up under a serious trial----and I mean, a real trial, not so-called "white girl problems". "White girl problems" is a phrase that has been coined to describe the minor annoyances or pet peeves of people who have NO IDEA what it is to go through something extremely difficult. People of any race or gender often complain about "white girl problems".

Here are a few examples from my own life:

- Where the heck is my cell phone? (only to realize a second later that it's in my purse)

- There was so much traffic; I got there really late.

- I'm so tired of my wardrobe. (White girl problem #24)

- Gas prices are ridiculous (as I fill up at the pump anyway)

I am as guilty as the next person of seeing small grievances or bumps in the road as major problems. Making a mountain out of a molehill? I'm the queen of that.

James 1:2 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance." I hardly know what a real trial is, let alone what it would be like to consider it "pure joy". I honestly can't even begin to wrap my head around this verse. Can you?