My pastor started a series of teaching from James in the New Testament. This past Sunday he taught about trials from James 1
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.
As a survivor of childhood abuse, such teaching used to cause me to wonder if that sounded abusive anytime someone talked about trials being allowed by God. However, God is not abusive. But it was an issue I struggled with many years ago.
The trials James was alluding to were suffering because of being a Christian. Historically at that time, Christians were persecuted severely much like what happens in the Middle East or China today.
But what about other kinds of suffering.
There is suffering with sickness that is part of the consequences of the fall when Adam and Eve sinned. I live with chronic illnesses. Those are a result of living in a fallen world.
There are the effects of growing up in a home with an alcoholic father and mentally ill mother. Those are effects of someone else’s sin.
There are hardships such as having classes canceled in June 2020 in the midst of a pandemic with no chance to seek anything else.
Whatever the cause of suffering, suffering is not something I would equate with having joy. Except when I factor in the principle of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
By sharing the comfort God has given me, I can join with God in seeing others be blessed. When I was able to help a little girl with anxiety, it was because God had led me to study Spanish and because I understand anxiety. Because of living with chronic illnesses, I can share the hope I have in Jesus with others who live with chronic illness. The list goes on and on.
It is when I seek God for strength to share and opportunities to share in the midst of the hardships of life that I experience what Psalm 126 talks about.
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
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This is helpful. Thank you for posting.
Considering Joy in our trials is never an easy thing to grasp. As you know I have been studying and writing on James and I agree that it is challenging to come to terms with and even more so to live it out. But through the Lord we can find our Joy in His presence, faithfulness and provision even if our circumstances say otherwise.
Yes if we keep our focus on Jesus 🙂
I think we also need to understand the differences between trials because we are Christians and the difficulties that anyone would experience because of living in this fallen world.
Good combination of verses to go for encouragement when we’re suffering…so thankful His word builds us up no matter the trials we face.
Thank you little sister. How are you?
Hey!! How am I? Well I’m sooo thankful for warmer weather and the sunshine, it’s such a boost of happiness for my mood!!
How are you?!
I am ok. With the warmer weather you can go camping with the coyotes 😂
😂Yes right over in my pasture!!
And don’t forget the to play with the antelope 😂
😂
And roam with the Buffalo 🦬 😂
Lol! There are some in a pasture north of town by the lake!!
Do you roam with them? 😂
Nah just do some distant-sighting with a fence for a barrier!
Ever see a mountain lion?
I haven’t but Nathan has when he’s driving for work,
If you see one, don’t say to it- Here kitty kitty lol
No kidding!!!😅
Thank you for this! You did a good summary and encouragement! I appreciate this so much!
Thank you little sister 🙂