“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” - James 1:2-3 (New International Version)
As I left a meeting today, feeling extremely frustrated, I began thinking all sorts of negative thoughts. I came back to my office and sat down, turned on KVNE and cracked open my bible. I was initially going to the book of Matthew because my pastor had sent me an email earlier today with an encouraging words referencing Matt 5:9 (which is an awesome verse), but when I opened the bible it fell to the book of James, and I noticed that I had underlined MANY verses in red that had obviously hit home at some point in my history. SO I’ll share them here… along with some of my thoughts.
I have found many times over the years that my faith has been tested, but it has been tested (and strengthened) more in the past few years than ever. James 1:2-3 flies in the face of conventional wisdom (or maybe it’s just me?) because when I am facing trials, I’m generally not feeling very joyful. But that testing of my faith has clearly developed perseverance. Beginning at James 1:4 it goes on to say that “[p]erseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Wow!!! If it is Gods plan that we face these trials and have our faith tested because it completes us, then why shouldn’t I be happy about it? I know it’s easier said than done, but consider James 4:4 which reads in part, “[a]nyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Ka – Pow!!! Right in the cheek!!! …more to come, but I think I need to take a little time to absorb what I’ve just read (and compare that to the way I felt – and the actions I wanted to take- on my way back from the courthouse a little while ago).
