Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-5 (NIV)
Life is a process; a process that is filled with trials and tests. I find it amazing that James tells us these difficulties should be considered the purest joy. So many times we ask God to remove us from struggle, but could it be that God wants to use the struggles in our lives to make us more like him?
We are being told through this verse that our life is a journey, and the goal is the development of our character. That only can happen with perseverance, and we can only forge perseverance in the fire of difficulty. As we walk through the fire, we learn to depend on God more and more, and we move toward maturity. When we get there, the promise is a life filled with peace, wisdom, integrity, and gratitude. It is the life of nobility we were created to live.
So be joyful during your struggles because God is right there with you and he wants to develop your character. Don't run away from difficulty, instead, view them in their proper context. The trials we are going through are a warning light that informs us God is ready to meet our needs.
Be encouraged. See you Sunday!
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