James 1: 2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
How do we count it joy when we are tested? I've noticed in my life that my husband and I go through times that run smoothly and everything seems to go right. It is easy to say during those times "Praise God" and "Thank you God." Then all of a sudden, everything seems to fall apart, and is our response the same? It should be.
Everybody goes through testing. How we respond during these times shows us how strong (or weak) of a Christian we are. That thought can be a little hard to swallow, can't it?
This past week both my husband and I have been faced with physical problems--serious ones, yet not too serious for God to intervene. Underlying these problems is the thought, "We're getting older." It is especially difficult when we have an adult child with special needs. The hard truth is that some day, most likely, our child will be on this earth without us. Our human frailties are a reminder of how much we must depend upon the Lord.
Verse 2 says to count it all joy when we fall into temptation (or testing). How can it be counted for joy? Verse 3 goes on to say that the trying of our faith worketh patience. Patience! That's something we all want, isn't it? Sometimes we don't want to do the work to get it; or in other words, we don't want to endure the testing to get the reward! The last part of verse 4 says, "that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." That means that we may be mature and complete.
Count it all joy? Does that mean that I am actually suppose to be happy about being tested? Well, yes it does. Read those verses again. The result of passing the test is patience. And don't we all want to be mature and complete? What a goal for which to strive!!!
If you are going through a difficult time of testing right now, ask God to help you pass the test. Go for the goal!
1 comment:
Thank you for the great words of wisdom! The Apostle Paul said he counted it ALL for joy when he was in some pretty disgusting conditions in prison. It is sometimes so hard to be joyful when the trials come, yet I have never heard too many people ask God "why me" when the blessings are flowing, but it is often heard when things don't go according to plan. How grateful I am to read such encouraging words from you. God bless you and your family richly through whatever you must go through. Your example to me and my family has been profound!!
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