JOY IN
TRIALS
Second
of three devotions in Crown of Life series
James
1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my
brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.”
What? Are you
kidding me?
No one wants to
endure trials—including me! Trials are hard. But trials have taught me something. Because I want trials to end, I changed how I think about them. I figured out that if we don’t pass the trial’s
test, we must retake it. So, I decided
to learn from trials. Trials are just tests. We learn how to pass tests in school.
“What am I supposed to learn, God?” Maybe what God wants us to praise Him when
growing through trials? Maybe
perseverance?
Yeah, I reacted just like you.
James—who wrote the opening Scripture—is thought to have
been Jesus’ half-brother. What a trip James
must have had growing up with Jesus! It’s
good that Jesus was the oldest kid in His family. I seriously doubt that He would have gotten away
with, “Cool, another trial!” if He had an older sibling.
You know how kids love teasing each other.
Jesus always blew people’s minds. Things that Jesus taught always opposed human
reasoning. Testing kids’ faith is serious business with the Father! Remember that Jesus had to suffer many
things. Even Jesus had to persevere
through trials so that the “work in Him could be mature and complete, not
lacking anything.”
Growing up human, Jesus had to learn how to be God.
Jesus didn’t get a break with faith testing either, being
100% God as well as 100% human!
Jesus’ half-brother, James, probably ached watching Jesus
suffer. He wrote, “The brother in humble
circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in
his low position, because it will pass like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and
withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away
even when he goes about his business.” (James 1:9-11).
James reached out to encourage other Believers who follow Jesus.
Take Home Nugget
It’s comforting that God is in control when using trials
for our growing into Christ likeness.
Regardless what trial we may be learning through, keeping joy and
praise at the front of emotions validates
our faith.
Refining
and purifying—smoothing out the rough edges of
our human nature may be easier than learning from the trial itself? Surely,
we’re growing measurably into Christ
likeness!
Ease
and hasten our growing into Your likeness, Jesus! Amen.
Adapted from “Praise God During Trials.” Dr. Tony Evans. April 18, 2016. The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com or OnePlace.com.
j.D. Griffith
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