“2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV.
I recently resigned from my first pastoral role. It was all that I had dreamed about for many years. I landed in a place where I could minister to people in a similar life stage, and I was given the freedom to grow the ministry in any direction I saw God leading me. But changes in circumstances forced us to move away from the position.
It rocked our boat. Even though I know it was the right decision, it has still affected me deeply.
Sometimes God calls us to places or circumstances that test us. It may not be a work environment; it could be anything. You all know what I’m talking about. All of us experience trials and suffering.
In the text today, James advises us to count it as joy. That can be hard! Sometimes we want to wallow in the suffering. I know I’m guilty of that. Sometimes there is a grieving process that we have to go through. But I can’t help but wonder… can there be joy in grief and suffering?
James certainly calls us in such a manner. Why?
Because the testing of our faith brings steadfastness. When we have doubts, we can search for the truth and find it. Doubts and trials can cause us to either grow in faith or lose it. Doubt isn’t something to be afraid of, though. We should take it head on, asking those genuine questions where we seek to find answers and grow. That’s ultimately the goal, to grow in Christlike character.
Suffering produces strength.
So as you’re going about your day, where can you find joy in your circumstances? Can you praise God despite the pain that today might bring? Instead of wallowing in a pit of despair, can you see God’s movement in your life? Can you see that the end goal is to build your character?
This week my challenge, or encouragement, is to find the joy. Count your suffering, your pain, as joy. Christ can and does use it for His glory.
Praise God.
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