James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
The verses are powerful and challenging in their meaning. Because the reality of life is that we will all face difficulties and hardships. There’s no way around it. My guess is you’ve been through a few storms already. And my guess is you will go through a few more.
At first glance “counting it all joy” might seem impossible and maybe even insensitive. After all, why should we think the storms we face are something to rejoice in? But the truth of this passage is profound. And I think this is a passage that every follower of Jesus should reflect on and be encouraged by.
The key is for us to look to Christ, not to our situation, and declare our circumstances as joy. We are to be content and satisfied, to face them, and then learn and grow from them. This does not mean to give up and do nothing, it means to refocus our energies into productivity and faith not questions and bitterness.
When we walk through trials, our faith is tested. We begin to ask more questions. And we begin to wrestle with different truths. We know from God’s Word. But we struggle sometimes to believe that God is good, that God is wise, that God is loving, that God is in control. We have so many different questions and struggles in our faith and there are days in the middle of trials and some of you are there right now.
Our faith is hard to come by. But the testing of your faith produces, v3?says, steadfastness and steadfastness leads to a faith that is more complete, that is more perfect, that is more sufficient, lacking in nothing.
As Christians, our ultimate desire should be to know and love God more deeply. We should long for growth to be more grounded in Him and His Word, whatever the cost. So, from a purely logical standpoint, if trials produce a more grounded, fixed and firm faith, we absolutely can be joyful in trials. But of course, that’s easier said than done.
This kind of joy does not mean we ignore, deny, and avoid our circumstances. Nor does it mean we suppress emotions of grief and sadness. It means that in the midst of our pain and suffering, we are able to see God’s presence. We are able to trust that God will bring good from our suffering, that He empathizes with us through His Son, and is actively engaged in the midst of our trials.
This type of trust strengthens our foundation in Christ. And oftentimes, it’s in the most challenging circumstances that we are able to see God do His greatest works.
If you are still wrestling with a past trial or struggling to see where God was in the midst of it, tell Him. Ask Him to reveal where He was. Pray that He would reveal His goodness and faithfulness through it and to bring you peace that surpasses all understanding. It may take time, but keep seeking Him and worshipping Him as you wrestle. He hears you!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Your grace is sufficient for every trial and difficulty that we will face in our lives. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord we desire to grow in grace and become more like You. Lord we are beginning to understand that in this life, we will have testings and trials. We pray that You will keep us steady in the trials, may we be ready and willing to patiently learn the lessons that You would teach us in each situation in life, knowing that we are being perfected in the process. Lord use my friend to be the touch of Your love to all today. Be a blessing. Love ya
Father, we love You amen !
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