Count it all Joy

Custom Report Magazine.

I don’t want to buy something that has not been tested first. I remember purchasing a computer from Gateway. It never worked right. The same day I took it from the box, I spent over an hour with customer services. You are no doubt like me, you don’t want to buy something that has not been through rigorous testing first. In fact, the reason people read this magazine is to save them from buyers remorse. Did you know you are not alone. God also wants only the tested and proven. The problem is we are the ones being tested and proven. But then the testing and trials come, we can have three expectations.

1. During Trials we can expect to grow

James 1:2–4 (NIV)

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

So James says what? Is he crazy. We are to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. Really! I don’t know about you, but I hate trials. In fact, I try to avoid them. I don’t like pain. I even hate needles at the doctor’s office. And James wants me to be joyful about trials.

Can you imagine how the people getting this letter felt. Great a letter of encouragement. Then they read it. What is this a letter from pastor Wacko. They is nothing joyful about trials. So what is James really saying here. Look at verse 3 again, see that little word because. Here is the reason for the joy. Because Trials produce something in us. James reminds us that trials produces perseverance. and perseverance matures us. So the only way to mature is to go through the trials. No one grows without growing pains.

James tells us that trials produces perseverance. So what is perseverance? And whatever it is, do I want it? Those are both good questions to ask. I may not feel like I need this think called perseverance. So first, I want to know what it is.

Well it means: A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances. It mean to have hope and refers to that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.

So, I guess it is to continue to have hope no matter how dark the circumstances. To never give in, to never give up, to never give out. To keep going even down the darkest road. When the doctors say there is nothing else we can do.