My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, Do you count it "all joy" when you fall into various trials? It's not an easy thing to do, is it? It's hard to find joy when your life is falling apart. I speak from experience. I have had my fair share of trials. From a tumour the size of a grapefruit to an incurable disease to mistakes by doctors and a fall down a flight of stairs that left me partially disabled. According to the above verse, I am to count those trials as "all joy." With my five-month stay in the hospital last year that resulted in even more health problems, it seems a bit much to ask. But look at who wrote those words. James, the brother of Jesus, whose death is debated even to this day, prayed so much on his knees that they became calloused and hard. Some commentaries say he was stoned to death because he refused to deny the Lord. Others say he was beheaded. Either way, he endured his fair share of persecution, as did the rest of the Apostles. Peter was crucified upside down on a cross. The Apostle John was boiled in oil - survived! - and was then exiled to the Island of Patmos, where he would write the book of the Revelation. The Apostle Paul endured prison, snake bites, whippings, beatings, and shipwrecks. Knowing the extreme persecution each new believer faced, James still asked us to count our trials as "all joy." Why? Because they are necessary to grow in our faith. When our faith is tested, we learn patience. But we need to, as James suggests, let patience have its perfect work. If we only look at our trials and all the bad things that happen to us, our focus gets really distorted. We become depressed when nothing positive happens in our lives. We become discouraged, and if we don't see the real reason for our trials, we might even begin to doubt that God even loves us. Trials, sickness, hardships, call it what you will. If you are enduring them and you don't look at their ultimate purpose in your life, you will not count them as all joy. The Apostle James believed that we will be perfect and complete if we let patience have its perfect work. Equipped with what we need as a follower of Christ and as a witness to others. Patience isn't just exhibited, however, by how calm you are while waiting in a line of cars or at the grocery store checkout. Patience, in Greek, is hypomonē and literally means steadfastness, constancy or endurance. Strong's Concordance actually says, "In the NT, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings."
So how loyal are you? If you are going through trials, ask yourself - are you ready to endure what comes your way and remain faithful to God no matter what? Even if what comes your way isn't something you would identify as "faith" related? Trials and sufferings don't come only in the form of persecution of your faith. They come as a testament to your faith. How you react to them will say a lot about your trust in God. If they seem to be never-ending (as in my case), don't get discouraged. God allows hardships for a reason. I wholeheartedly believe that when my troubles started, God allowed them to "perfect" me. Many years later, as I've learned to live with an incurable disease and a disability, I wonder when the "perfecting" will be done. But, I then remembered the Apostle Paul once begged for release from God over a thorn in his flesh. It wasn't a literal thorn. But it was an ailment that he asked God to heal. But God said no, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul moved on with that answer, accepting that God was using it for a reason. So following Paul's example, I believe God is using my trials for a reason. If more problems come, I simply see them as more tests of my faith. I firmly believe that God does not allow us to be tested unless He is positive we will still be faithful to Him and bring glory to His name. And that is why James says we can count it all joy, because when we remain faithful to God during trials and, yes, even tragedies, God is glorified. So whether we recognize it or not, our suffering is for a greater purpose. Like it or not, suffering, tragedies and pain are a fact of life, but for the Christian, they are meant as an opportunity to let God's glory shine through. So embrace your suffering, your pain - whatever it is - and see it not as something that is meant to defeat you but as something meant to make your life a testament to God's glory.
8 Comments
5/30/2016 01:17:16 pm
Trials can be a slow learning, and I often want to skip over the hard part and get right to the lesson. Thanks for reminding me that our God is the God of Through -- he doesn't abandon us in the middle.
Reply
God truly is faithful, even when we aren't. I haven't gone through the same kinds of sufferings as you have (praise God for keeping you and giving you the grace to endure), but even in my own small struggles, I sometimes find it hard to trust Him and to count it all joy when life just seems to want to hurt me. Thanks for the reminder to take it all to Him,and to remember that He's using it for my joy. :)
Reply
Thanks for stopping by Sam. Yes, it is hard to count it all joy when life is constantly hurting us. I used to get very depressed until a wise preacher put things in perspective for me and I've lived by his wisdom ever since. He told me (after I'd been in a car accident and was injured) that God must have a lot of faith in me to allow me to go through all the stuff I'd been going through. So the next time life hurts you, remember that - God has faith in you! Your sorrows will ultimately bring Him glory and result with Him saying at the end of your life, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." God bless!
Reply
6/2/2016 10:18:34 am
"Trials come as a testament to your faith" ....Yes, Yes, Yes! Laura, there is so much good stuff in this post and an awesome challenge to use our difficulties to speak volumes of a faithful and loving God. Really encouraged by reading your words and your heart. Blessings to you as you walk your faith and keep trusting in God. So glad you are joining Fresh Market Friday! Crystal~
Reply
Thank you for sharing this, Laura. God is surely using your gift of writing to encourage others in their faith walk. I like where you said God would not allow us to go through a trial if He did not intend to bring us through and use it for His glory. I so agree. Even in the event of physical death and martyrdom, He is still sovereign and uses it all. And we are still talking about those who have gone before us as part of the bigger plan. Glad we are part of that plan too. Blessings to you!
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2023
Categories
All
|