James 1: 2-4
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 its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I'm not sadistic. But when I heard this song as I walked to work, it quoted this verse from James and it hit me like a brick. Lately, there has been quite a fair bit of difficulties faced by many that I know. I'm sure it's not just me being sensitive, but the Christian journey has been quite a tempest for many since last year and it seems to have no let up as we progress in this new year.
I'm hearing of more challenges encountered by individuals, more unsettling news, more changes that are causing discontent. Individuals are starting to leave church, more are discontented with what they had or just annoyed. While I struggle with what lies before me, I often tell myself that this is indeed signs of the trials expected in the end times. Yet, I worry that these trials end up causing more to give up their faith and choose to live self-centered ways.
Sure I know that many trials will make us strong. After we are done with the testing phase or even the difficult trials, what doesn't kill us, often makes us stronger.
However terrible things may be, I deeply pray that the test of faith in many around me, will bare much fruit. Simply because trials are meant for us to throw down the gauntlet and go back to the fact that we live and act only for God. May everyone learn to consider our hardship joy because it is intended to make us more like Jesus, and also to rely more on Him and not on ourselves.
M.
