“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
James 1:2-3 (KJV)
Trials. Don’t you just hate that word? We can endure (almost) any other circumstance except the Big T.
Anywhere (Wal-Mart, the bank, the grocery store, hair-dresser, gas station, etc);
Anytime (day or night, am or pm);
Just don’t make it trial time, and we are happy.
We spend sleepless nights fretting about trials. We ruin perfectly good days grousing about them. No one wants to talk to us because we persistently recount our tales of woe. Then we get fighting mad at the preacher when he tells us to be happy about our diverse trials. Joy? Joy about trials? I don’t think so, brother! Who are you kidding? And on we go without ever considering that this too is a test of our faith.
Tests never pass quickly . . . at least not as quickly as we would like. There is a reason for the slow road of testing. Human beings have a most frustrating aspect of personality. It is known as the pride of life. The pride of life was birthed at the fruit tree in Eden. It reveals itself in our know-it-all attitudes, in our obstinate stubbornness, in our demanding my way-or-the-highway, in our lack of patience, in our refusal to consider the other person’s feelings, and so forth. Testing is slow because we just don’t get it the first time. The intended message just can’t get through our thick skulls. In order for us to “get it,” we have to continue in faith, since the trial is about our faith. As we hold our steady course of faith, something called perseverance begins to develop in us. In addition, the message is effectively imprinted on our soul, and we change our behavior and attitudes. Change your perspective and you will change the results. On the journey to the Father’s house, our trials are only tools that fine tune our perseverance for getting there.
Now, there is real joy in the results! Consider that prior to our personal trials; we have been a trial for God. Think about it. How many times have we tested His patience . . . goodness . . . mercy . . . and grace? But He has persevered through those trials to bring us a trial of faith that we might develop perseverance and become all He wants us to be. Joy! We may weep for a night but joy comes in the morning!
Dear Father, thank you for the trials you allow in our lives. Empower us with greater faith that we may develop a firm resolve to continue to the end. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today your faith and perseverance,