Troubles

Good Morning,

James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Who among us actually embraces trials and troubles that we encounter almost daily? How many of us actually become joyful when problems crop up and we have to deal with many kinds of challenges in our days? I would say that the answer to both of those questions is probably, not many of us. No, we would much rather our lives be smooth and trouble free, I think, especially in the world in which we live these days. However, that simply isn't going to happen. Not to you. Not to me. Probably not to any of us. That is, of course, simply because the world is the way it is and living in it brings about almost constant, daily trouble for us to deal with.

Now, the HOW that we go about dealing with our troubles, that's the crux of what we read in today's verse of Scripture, I think. God is telling us that we ought to embrace the troubles that come and face those troubles with joy in our hearts. Why? Well, because we're told here that when we do face our troubles directly and allow the Lord to work in and through us when we do, then we will "develop perseverance" in our lives and further troubles simply won't be as difficult to handle. The Lord is with us as we walk each day, be assured of that. He's there for us to call upon and to help us in our daily lives. He has promised that to us. God has promised us, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deut. 31:6)

You see, with God walking with us each step of our lives, then we ought not to face our trials with anything BUT joy, because God will show us the way and assist us along His path. The perseverance and patience that we gain does only good in our lives because it teaches us how we can always depend on the Lord to help us and guide us. Each trouble we face, no matter how challenging, gives God the chance to show us His love and then how we can live through anything...with Him.

Yes, it's a difficult passage of Scripture to us, I know. Yes, it's tough to face troubles joyfully. However, knowing that God is with us and will always be with us, that should make it just that much easier.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David