“Consider it pure joy…” There is nothing as beautiful as pure joy. In my mind, I picture the elation and exuberance that come with the joy of meeting a long-awaited baby for the very first time. Or perhaps the joy that comes on a wedding day as two lovers prepare for the journey of love and life together. Or maybe the explicit wonder of your first love or your first kiss. All of these moments of joy are things one will never forget. Or maybe you’re a roller coaster junkie like me and just love the pure exhilaration as you climb the first hill and begin the first drop.
James 1:2 starts with that same sense of excitement. He takes us zooming down a breathtaking freefall with the hope of an incredible ride. However, immediately in verse three, we find ourselves in a hairpin break-neck, 180° turn that leaves our minds limp with confusion.
“...whenever you face trials of many kinds…” This messes with my mind. In my family of origin, troubles were always a reason for lament. There's never been in my mind anything joyous about trials and tribulations. My mother and father would frequently herald troubles with loud criticism or constant complaints. Never were troubles something to enjoy. When I first read this verse, I had to stop and ponder it for quite some time as I found it very confusing. Perhaps you do, too?
Thankfully, James’ statement is qualified with a promise. As the muscles in my neck return to full strength, I contemplate the truth of verse three, “because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Jesus grants us the promise of growth as we embrace our troubles and choose perseverance. James invites us to embrace joy on the journey of tested faith. By trusting God during troubles of any kind, we grow!
Verse 4 reads, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Amid difficult and trying situations, we have a tremendous promise, a reason for pure joy. Though we may lament our current strife, if we choose, we may actively rest by strengthening our faith in who God is and how much he loves us. And in that perseverance, we may discover a new level of maturity that James calls “perfect and complete.
Let us all take some time today to consider our current challenges. Ask the Lord to reveal to us what he feels about the difficulties we are enduring. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of truths about the Godhead that apply to our current situations. Let us read and reflect on scripture to strengthen our faith in our beloved Father so that we might find joyous truth to help us persevere through whatever trial or tribulation we might be enduring. His love is strong and capable of not only sustaining us, but helping us grow.
About the Author
Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids. He loves Jesus, art, music, and poetry. He currently works as the Manager of Learning Technology Solutions for Los Angeles Pacific University and is passionate about adventuring outdoors.