What is your typical response to struggles and trials in your life? Often we’re tempted to groan about the harder struggles in life, “Oh, Lord, how can this be happening again?” The Psalmist groaned many times in similar ways.
So it may be surprising when we read Jesus’ brother, James, bluntly say, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” (James 1:2). James is (at least) referring to economic injustice (5:4) and physical sickness (5:14). For most, our first reaction to difficulty is not jubilation! So it’s a little shocking to read.
But as James continues, we see the reason for being joyful in trials is the purpose for which they exist. “…for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4).
God brings trials to our lives to test the object of our faith. If our faith is in a person, a positive outcome, or anything but the Lord, it will fail. The Lord never fails, friend! But when we place our faith in anything—or anyone—but the Lord, the failure is because of placing our faith in the wrong object, an object that cannot “carry the water,” as they say.
Positively, however, when we place our faith squarely in Jesus and His faithfulness, the God calms the anxiety in our hearts by the reassuring knowledge that He is using such trials to produce an ability to hold out or bear up in the face of them (so we’re joyful)!
As you face your next trial, capture the opportunity to thank God for His faithfulness to work in your life to bring about lasting joy.
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