Wednesday, December 13, 2023

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.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

James 1:2-4

James reminds us to count it all joy when we face trials, because those difficulties are doing a work in us. Now this does not mean beginning to “act” like we are experiencing something that we are not. It just means that we understand that there is a purpose in the difficulty and despite what we face, we cannot lose in Christ.  

The other night I had the joy of seeing the man who led me to Christ. He and his wife were always together and worked as a team to spread the gospel. I knew that he had lost his wife a while back but you could not tell it. He was as joyous that evening as he was when he was with her. Why? He had relationship with Joy (Jesus) and fully understood that his circumstances could not diminish his joy.   

In what manner do you experience trials? Do you approach a difficult season with joy, knowing that it is doing something in you, nothing else can do?  If not, it is time to reframe your challenges, knowing that God is doing a work in you.  

EXERCISE: Today, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).  If you are struggling with sadness in your struggle, ask the Lord to give you revelation of our ultimate hope.  Then, you just might meet joy.