It's a difficult choice, but a choice nonetheless. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2).
I prefer a trouble-free life (if there really is such a thing). I'm a firstborn perfectionist who likes things to be predictable, orderly, and manageable (some might call this boring). I'm up for adventure from time to time, but largely feel most comfortable in a predictable routine. Life's trials tend to upset that "comfort zone". They hold potential to be unpleasant adventures. And, if that's my assessment, that's likely to be the reality. That's where a key word in James' instructions to us comes in - "consider". To "consider" is to make a choice, difficult as that choice may be. But the choice is easier to make if we see its benefits. Consider the beneficial process and results of life's trials:
"knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:3-4)
The adversity of life's trials is the refining process that results in the lifestyle and character that our Father greatly desires and highly values. But the process isn't automatic; it is largely determined by the choice we make concerning it - the choice to "consider it all joy".
I've met plenty of Christians who seemed to have a dark cloud hovering over them (not that I haven't been like this more times than I care to admit). They appeared as those enduring "the trials of Job", devoid of joy or victory. Life's trials were hardships to endure rather than a process yielding benefits.
To "consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" is not necessarily to choose happiness. Happiness is an emotion often associated with joy, but joy is confident optimism based upon faith rather than a fleeting emotion. Joy sees the ultimate triumph of our faith and hope, and is unwavering on the journey toward that victory. Joy sees the setbacks of trials as character advances. Joy resolutely declares that "we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). The adversity that the adversary deliberates throws our way boomerangs around for ultimate good in the hands of a loving Father.
Response to life's trials is a choice consciously but not necessarily easily made. But that choice is vital. The choice, to borrow a well-worn cliché', is to be made better, not bitter.
May the choice you make in faith this day, in response to life's trials, result in abiding joy that cannot be realized in any other way.
Steve
I prefer a trouble-free life (if there really is such a thing). I'm a firstborn perfectionist who likes things to be predictable, orderly, and manageable (some might call this boring). I'm up for adventure from time to time, but largely feel most comfortable in a predictable routine. Life's trials tend to upset that "comfort zone". They hold potential to be unpleasant adventures. And, if that's my assessment, that's likely to be the reality. That's where a key word in James' instructions to us comes in - "consider". To "consider" is to make a choice, difficult as that choice may be. But the choice is easier to make if we see its benefits. Consider the beneficial process and results of life's trials:
"knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:3-4)
The adversity of life's trials is the refining process that results in the lifestyle and character that our Father greatly desires and highly values. But the process isn't automatic; it is largely determined by the choice we make concerning it - the choice to "consider it all joy".
I've met plenty of Christians who seemed to have a dark cloud hovering over them (not that I haven't been like this more times than I care to admit). They appeared as those enduring "the trials of Job", devoid of joy or victory. Life's trials were hardships to endure rather than a process yielding benefits.
To "consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" is not necessarily to choose happiness. Happiness is an emotion often associated with joy, but joy is confident optimism based upon faith rather than a fleeting emotion. Joy sees the ultimate triumph of our faith and hope, and is unwavering on the journey toward that victory. Joy sees the setbacks of trials as character advances. Joy resolutely declares that "we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). The adversity that the adversary deliberates throws our way boomerangs around for ultimate good in the hands of a loving Father.
Response to life's trials is a choice consciously but not necessarily easily made. But that choice is vital. The choice, to borrow a well-worn cliché', is to be made better, not bitter.
May the choice you make in faith this day, in response to life's trials, result in abiding joy that cannot be realized in any other way.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:26 AM
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