Hello
,
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." James 1:2 (NKJV)
Have you ever had someone use a Bible verse out of context in a conversation that they were having with you? If there was ever a Bible verse that could cause someone to
feel a little strange about its meaning, it is the one above. If we read this verse as a "stand-alone" text, it would appear to say that we should consider itpure, unmixed joy (that's actually what the root word implies), when we fall into various trials (whatever those trials may be.)
I don't know about you, but I'm terribly excited about the struggles that I sometimes have in my world. In
fact, I don't ever remember a time when I was struggling, and I thought..."wow, now THIS is wonderful!" I was more apt to wonder why God allowed something like my personal "issue" to even transpire in the first place. Hey, I'm being transparent here...
We have to place this verse in it's proper "context" however, and when we do...the true picture begins to emerge. Let's place the verse in with the other
verses that surround it, and see if it helps us to better understand it:
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4
I watched my son Michael as he was recently sharpening a kitchen knife. It was only when he removed some of the metal on the edge with his sharpening stone, that he was able to sharpen it, and make better cuts with it.
The same is true in our everyday lives. We are spiritual beings, but we also legitimately struggle through a variety of "real-world,' physical issues that can cause us to feel like we're going through "set-backs" rather than growing in the spiritual realm.
God is clear, that
when we are sold out to Jesus Christ, and to His Kingdom...that these things that feel like set-backs, can be used to grow us in ways that we never could have experienced (had we not gone through them).
As you read this, you may have had some trial or challenge jump to the forefront of your mind...and you don't really feel that joyful
about it. Take heart, have courage. Those struggles that experience can be used to help us become all that God designed us to be.
Have a great day and God bless!
