"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. " (James 1:2)
James doesn't say if you face trials, but when you face trials. In other words, it's inevitable that we will face trials and testing in our life. Yet, James is saying, “Consider it all joy.” How can it be? So many of you are going through some very difficult trials right now. Loss of jobs. Facing financial difficulties. Prolonged illness. The trials of grief. Some have a very unhealthy work situation or are facing relational challenges within you family. There can be hundreds of forms of trials, but God’s Word tells us to, “Consider it all joy.” Really? How can you count it all joy? It’s contrary to human nature. Well, the perso...n who is a follower of Jesus Christ can begin to understand joy amidst trials when they realize that trials have a purpose. When we go through trials, we can begin to build endurance, patience and perseverance. Sometimes it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves that we’re able to release those trials to God and say, “God this is too big for me. I can’t deal with it.” Then, we begin to see the power of God’s strength in our lives and, amazingly, we find joy in the midst of it. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. If you’re going through some difficult times in your life, hand them over to God. Trust Him enough to know that He will carry you through. He won’t let go. Once you have done that, and you realize you’re not alone, then you can count it all joy because God is in the midst of turning a bad situation into a good one. Do not focus on you trial, focus on the Lord. You will discover that He has a purpose for everything. Count it all joy!
Rev. Karen Washington
Visit us at http://www.elizabethamec.org
James doesn't say if you face trials, but when you face trials. In other words, it's inevitable that we will face trials and testing in our life. Yet, James is saying, “Consider it all joy.” How can it be? So many of you are going through some very difficult trials right now. Loss of jobs. Facing financial difficulties. Prolonged illness. The trials of grief. Some have a very unhealthy work situation or are facing relational challenges within you family. There can be hundreds of forms of trials, but God’s Word tells us to, “Consider it all joy.” Really? How can you count it all joy? It’s contrary to human nature. Well, the perso...n who is a follower of Jesus Christ can begin to understand joy amidst trials when they realize that trials have a purpose. When we go through trials, we can begin to build endurance, patience and perseverance. Sometimes it’s only when we come to the end of ourselves that we’re able to release those trials to God and say, “God this is too big for me. I can’t deal with it.” Then, we begin to see the power of God’s strength in our lives and, amazingly, we find joy in the midst of it. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. If you’re going through some difficult times in your life, hand them over to God. Trust Him enough to know that He will carry you through. He won’t let go. Once you have done that, and you realize you’re not alone, then you can count it all joy because God is in the midst of turning a bad situation into a good one. Do not focus on you trial, focus on the Lord. You will discover that He has a purpose for everything. Count it all joy!
Rev. Karen Washington
Visit us at http://www.elizabethamec.org
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