Hand in Hand with Suffering

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-3

I recently rediscovered this verse when we discussed in in last week's CYC class, and I thought it aptly summarized the point of this blog: of finding the good in the bad situations. But ‘Count it all joy’ can't mean we have to be happy in the midst of tribulation, can it? God doesn't expect us to be joyful during hard times, does He? They're called hardships for a reason, right? Because they're meant to be difficult?

So, James 1:2 doesn't mean we have to literally be happy. Then what does it mean? God doesn't expect us to be lighthearted all the time. The word ‘Tribulation’ itself indicates we will not like what is happening  expressly because it is supposed to be hard.

What is James telling the believers here then? What is he urging them to do when they face trials? Taking a look at Heb 12:11 gives us some insight:

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The writer of Hebrews also knows that trials are not easy, and we are not supposed to be happy while navigating through them. It's painful, he says. However, they are given to us to bring us closer to righteousness - and THAT should bring us joy, which is quite different from happiness. One can be joyful without being happy, a distinction that many people forget. When we're down and pessimistic towards the future, the knowledge that all the hardship is molding us, shaping us, and helping us towards righteousness, maybe we'll find it a tiny bit easier to push on.

Note however, that the writer of the Hebrews adds “to those who have been trained by it”. We have to let trial lead us, at least in part, of we want to be helped towards righteousness. We can't twiddle our thumbs as trial comes upon us and expect it to somehow magically get us into the Kingdom of God. We have to help it along.

So how do we do this? How do we let trials work in our lives? But how also do we keep in mind the words of James and of Hebrews as the trials come upon us? Because many times we forget. Many times we are so wrapped up in the heat of the moment, we forget the bigger picture. Or sometimes, we understand the principle, but do not know how to apply it in our own lives.

The answer is different for everyone. For me, as I have mentioned in previous posts, marking verses that are similar to those above helps me. Writing them out in colorful pens and putting them in places I see everyday helps me remember.

As for putting into practice the notion that God - through trial - is indeed working in my life for good, and living my life knowing this, I have yet to pinpoint an exact example from my own life, maybe it is because I have never thought of trial this way until very recently. But it is now a goal of mine to keep Heb 12:11 in my mind somehow. Somehow I need to remember that trial is pushing me toward the finish line of my Walk and not get bogged down in the mud of modern day.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Rom 8:18

In the Hope of Israel, 

Mikaelah B

I have to apologize for the late update - I've been a tad bit under the weather. If it's okay with you all, I may start posting on Fridays when my week has cooled down a bit. Thank you so much for your support! I love you all! 

 "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalms 84:10