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.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Joy in the Middle of It
James addressed his letter to God’s people scattered among the nations, and the first thing he tells them is one of the hardest things in it: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
“Consider” is the word to notice. James is asking for a way of counting the trial, and he gives the reason right there: “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” The testing is doing something in you, even when it feels like nothing but loss. Then James adds: let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete.
You can be unhappy about a trial and still count it this way. For you, that may mean looking past how it feels to what the testing is producing.
If today’s one of the hard ones, ask God for wisdom. James says he gives generously and without finding fault, and he tells us to ask trusting him.
A Prayer to Remember
Lord, I don’t like this trial, and I won’t pretend I do. Give me the wisdom to see what you’re making in me through it, and the patience to let it finish its work in me.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
