What is this Trying to Teach Me?

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various 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 1:2-4 NASB

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Maya Angelou

I do not consider it all joy when going through trials! I get tired. I get weary. I want to escape any trial. I don’t want to grow. I genuinely don’t want to endure! Then I read this:

• Your pain was preparing you for strength.
• Your failure was pointing you to alignment.
• Your delay was protecting your timing.
• Your joy was inviting you to presence.
• Your loss was teaching you about depth and letting go. Yusif Ahmed

We can’t be complete, lacking nothing, if we don’t endure trials. Jesus himself told us we would have them, and we know he endured many trials. The promise we will be perfect, complete, lacking nothing, is what we must hold onto.

Musings

No matter how young or old, no matter our career or none, no matter if we have family, no matter our status, habits, possessions, or money, we are God’s special possession. As he is our Father, trials will come, but he will bring good out of them for you and for others. (Romans 8:28)

Prayer

Father,

We are to be joyful when going through trials. We aren’t. We are to be thankful when going through trials. We aren’t. We cling to you because we know you will bring good, and we love you for it.

Thank you for grace as we go through trials. Thank you for the gifts that come from enduring trials.

Thank you to your son for modeling this perfectly.

Amen.