Consider it pure joy when we are faced trials (hardships, sufferings, tests) of many kinds! Photo Credit: Google images
Written Wed, November 8th, 2017
I am learning a new meaning for suffering, hardship, trials, tests. And O, how it fills my heart with joy indeed. No wonder the Bible says in James 1:2 that we should consider it pure joy when we are faced trials (hardships, sufferings, tests) of many kinds! Wow. Think about that a moment. Why would James say that to us?
Bonjour
As we begin to round up our work here in Yenagoa, I begin to appreciate the hardships we faced. Getting the job done wasn’t easy. At some point I had to choose between disagreeing and being miserable or keeping the peace and making progress. I chose the latter of course but it wasn’t an easy decision. It was a slow, and painful process that had me writhing in suppressed fury. The shoes of leadership can be discomforting and uncomfortable. But if we must lead with grace then we wear it and bear the cross.
In the end, it pays off. When there is collective harmony and progressive success, you soon forget the pain, and fury soon gives way to good humor. And the result of a job well done is reward; reward that fills your heart with pure joy! However, in the beginning it doesn’t feel anything like joy when you are being antagonized, misunderstood, mistreated and pushed to the wall. You’re like, whaaa-thaa!
You want to flip, summersault, show your true color, let out words of fire and brimstone. You want to read out your rights and your entitlements. But James tells us – No, that is not the way to go. He says, rather, consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
Now here comes the shocking part: Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12
Are you hearing what I am hearing? James says, God will give the crown of life to those who love Him. NOT to those who persevere under trial. Or isn’t that what it means? However, he substitutes “those who persevere under trial” with “those who love Him.” What that tells me is that A=B & B=A! It is called substitution. Both entities are one and the same.
What that means is that trials are a test of your love for God!! WOW! Therefore, if you are going through diverse trials, it is a test to see if you truly love God. If you give in, God doesn’t mean much to you, only the pleasure of momentary relief. But if you persevere, then your love for God is true. And when perseverance finishes its work, you become mature and complete. James 1:4
Isn’t that amazing! And O, what bliss indeed when the crown of life manifests!
So be encouraged dear friends. Are you going through diverse kinds of trials? Let not your heart be troubled. Consider it pure joy, for the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And those who persevere under trial shall receive a crown of life. What pure joy indeed!!
SHARE this message with someone today. Say to them, “The testing of your faith produces pure joy!”
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