Scripture for Today: James 1:2-3 “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.”

I appreciate a lovingly brewed tea. I especially enjoy it when it is accompanied with sweets!  It takes time and some effort to do it correctly. There are always directions on a box of tea on how long to steep that bag. But more often than not, I tend to hurry the process along. For the full flavor to be realized, the bag needs to steep long enough in that hot water.

Today’s verse talks about a process with a very positive outcome. But like steeping in boiling water, it takes time. The testing of our faith through trials and difficulties does eventually bring about perseverance. And this is why one can consider it a joy.  Believers are to look at their problems not as a punishment, a curse or bad luck. The one belonging to the Lord is to consider or regard each trial as something positive. There can be joy when we can see past the problem to the perseverance that is being produced in us.

Of course, joy is not my first response to hard times. But after long careful consideration, I can eventually come to it. It is usually well after that negative experience that I can see how God used it in my life. I can esteem something as a joy when I see my faith become stronger as a result. The joy is not found in that circumstance but in what God is going to do with it! Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). I want to see the joy that is set before me as well and so be able to endure with perseverance whatever He allows.

Lord, help me to trust what You are allowing in my life.

(Look familiar? This is a re-post from 2018)