My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask. Whoever asks shouldn’t hesitate. They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the surf of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind. People like that should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord. They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways. Brothers and sisters who are poor should find satisfaction in their high status. Those who are wealthy should find satisfaction in their low status, because they will die off like wildflowers. The sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass so that its flowers fall and its beauty is lost. Just like that, in the midst of their daily lives, the wealthy will waste away. (James 1:2-11, CEB)
Is that really how we think of testing or trials we go through? As occasions for joy?
I am not sure that the author of James is playing with a full deck. We need to see trials and testing as times of joy because testing produces endurance and endurance completes us so we lack nothing. I mean I get it but joy is not what I usually first think of in trials and testing.
Of course, we know that God is always with us and never leaves us so in the midst of trials and testing God is always walking with us. So in that, there is definitely joy or hope.
And I honestly think that is what the author of James is truly getting at. Even in times of testing and trials be mindful that this will always lead to a deepening of your faith. And know that joy is always coming if not seen around you now. Hope is always with you as God is always with you.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 