Read James 1:2-4
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)
Everyone faces “trials of many kinds”! In our church life we prefer to preach and teach about the joy that the Lord gives through His daily provision and protection rather than the trials that He allows us to experience. In fact we rarely consider these trials to be a joy!
For many of us in Malaysia our ‘trials of many kinds” are often concerned with relationships, finance or working conditions. For Betty, my wife, and myself (both in our eighties!) our main trials are healthwise. Betty has been diagnosed with third stage cancer and, due to her age (86) is not undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, such trials are very minor compared to those in Darfur or Zimbabwe (to mention just two places). The majority of Christians in this country have a very comfortable life.
But how do we react to the trials that come our way? Unfortunately there are often two common ways of reaction – complaint or self-pity. We complain to our family and friends and we may even complain to God – “Why me?” Such a question rarely receives a satisfactory answer! It would be better to say “Please God show me what good can come out of this very difficult situation?” Such a prayer request will always receive an answer, if only we will look for it carefully.
But why should facing these trials be a joy? We must wait till tomorrow to find out what God says through the letter of James. Jesus Christ told us that we would face trouble: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
What trials are we facing? How do we react to them?
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
