"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 it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.....Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him"
James 1:1-4, 12
trial: a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
test: take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of (something), especially before putting it into widespread use or practice.
reveal the strengths or capabilities of (someone or something) by putting them under strain.
Persevere: steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
Because we have two ways to respond to these trials....tests....with hands open in thanks to God or hands clenched tight, shaking and asking "why me?". I feel too often we do the latter...because it's easier. It's easier to get angry or filled with anxiety. It's easier to talk in sin rather than in holiness. It's easier to complain and wallow in our discontentment than it is to give thanks. I feel there is another characteristic that is revealed through us choosing to handle trials and tests with our hands clenched tight....a lack of trust.
there's more.... "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, WHO DOES NOT CHANGE."
James 1:17
So the God that is the father of Abraham is still the same God today. He never changes. Why can we not trust that? Why can we not trust him? We cannot fill with joy until we learn how to trust...
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow."
Romans 15:13
The full life, the one spilling joy and peace, happens only as I come to trust God...the God who never burdens His children with shame or self condemnation but keeps stroking the fears with gentle grace.
It's not easy...it's easier to let the mind run wild with the worry, stress and anxiety than to exercise discipline. But isn't discipline similar to perseverance? Are stress and worry evidences of a soul too lazy, too undisciplined, to keep gaze fixed on God? To stay in love? James tells us to persevere....steadfastness in doing something difficult...so this Christian walk, walk of faith, these trials and tests I am facing, these moments flooding with worry, anxiety, stress...they will not be easy but they are for my good. Why do we as settled comfortable Americans try and do everything to stay away from tests and trials? If we changed our perspective on trials would our attitudes change as well?
What we need to start with is an unshakable faith...unmovable trust in our God.
"Jesus replied, 'This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent (that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger)' " John 6:29...that's it? That is my daily work? To believe....to trust.
then we need to move on to tough prayers...because these tests and trials are ordained by God. They are there to build us up, prepare for His purpose for us and to mature us in our Faith. He is using these to bring out our trust in Him...to see if we are ready for something bigger...to fulfill His purpose for us...
Pray that God pours you out empty...that there is nothing left in you so that you are right down on your knees...trusting in His next move...
pray that you are empty so you can be filled....broken so you can be healed...
so that God is our one desire...that we depend on Him fully....until He is our one true love, our breath...then consider it joy when you face trials of many kind....
"I know my supreme need is joy in God and I know I can't experience deep joy in God until I deep trust in Go. He gave us Jesus! Jesus! Gave Him up for us all. If Go didn't withhold from us His very own Son, will God withhold anything we need?"
The answer is adoration in Christ....to every trial, to every stress, to every anxiety, to every worry...adore Him!
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