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 ~ James 1:2, 3


In the Beatitudes, Jesus declared, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11, 12a). This is the thought of James here when he tells us to consider it pure joy. He does not mean that we should pretend we get joy out those things in life which are disagreeable, but that we are to look upward and forward and count it joy in the heavenly realm, for there awaits a crown for us. But also, it is pure joy because it is an opportunity to gain a new strength through our overcoming. Whenever we face opposition and we learn new things, grow in our stature as a Christian, and overcome through the power of Christ, our trials shrink in comparison. When a child is born, a new mother does not remember the labour, but thinks only of the babe in her arms. The pain and agony is passed, and over with. She rejoices in her labour that it brought her child into the world. So, we learn through the experience of our trials that our faith is tried and strengthened and that we gain greater patience to endure. We learn that God has our good in mind, and no matter the trial, we will come through it with him by our side. As a result, we are sanctified to a greater degree. This in itself is desirable, for this brings us more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. If and where possible, when we are going through trouble, remember the outcome will show itself in the long range scope of our issues, and joy will be ours in the new day.

Pastor Julia

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