My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 NKJV
No one can honestly say they enjoy trials, but James encourages us to look for the joy within our trials. We must seek the long-term silver lining in every storm.
The phrase “fall into” implies being plunged into difficulties. These include situations that are not a consequence of our bad choices. Sudden and unexpected torment invades our lives, overwhelming us.
Tribulations test our faith, but they also increase it. Troubles also produce patience, which we need because we have a tendency to race through our tough seasons. When we rush our storms, we miss out on God’s purpose: the patience, joy, and perfecting work of God. Not that we achieve perfection before heaven, but we are made complete, lacking nothing.
If we fail to endure to the end, we’ll need another opportunity to get it right. I’m no fan of lingering in times of affliction, but I prefer to get it right the first time. No repeat tests!
The Greek word for patience is “hupomone .” It refers to an active endurance. While we aren’t passively waiting, we must seek God’s direction concerning our next step.
My first major test of faith as a Christian was my husband’s leukemia. I learned a lot during those years. I discovered more about God’s grace as I suffered through depression and a breast cancer scare. When my vision took a drastic decline, I understood even more about the refining fire. The previous problems came and went, but the visual impairment continues. God’s grace surrounds me. I consider my blindness a privilege, because it’s been an honor to watch God accomplish His work in me and through me. That is my source of joy.
We baked Iva, my guide dog, a cake today for her fourth birthday. Yes, a cake for my guide dog. If we had pulled it out of the oven early, it would have fallen apart. If we left it too long, it would have burnt.
God has perfect timing, and He knows just when to remove us from the fire. Faith, like precious metals, must undergo a refining process.
Allow the words of James to help you through the sickness, the brokenness, the grief, the financial setback, the problem at work, the problem at home, and the depression. Search until you find that joy. Remain in the fire of testing until God says you are done. Perfect. Lacking nothing.
Trials don’t come to hurt us, but to help us.
Lord, we hate tribulation, but we submit to Your timetable, so that You may have Your perfect work in our lives. Illuminate the joy we desperately seek. We trust You in our mess. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read James 1:2-8 and verse 19.
HIKING THE TRAIL
You are either in a trial, just coming out of one, or heading into one. Keep a journal of the joys, big and small, that you encounter as you pass through the fire.
Related Resource
This devotion comes from a 30-day devotional: Overcoming the Overwhelming: Walking in Victorious Faith When You Don’t Feel Victorious. Check it out here!
Copyright 2019 Carolyn Dale Newell.
Originally posted on August 4, 2023 @ 2:00 am
Those of us who walk with Jesus really do have the ability to experience joy in the trial, not happiness, but true joy. I know for me when I enter that joy the devil races in to get my eyes back onto the trial I am going through. But even when his distractions arrive, he cannot steal our joy. Thankful for that.
Amen
Thank you fir this reminder
My pleasure