In my life, I have had my share of trials-most people have had their own share, let's be honest. Life is not easy for most people, at least not by their own standards, though, of course, when held to the same standard, my life isn't so difficult at all. Yesterday, I was reading a friend's blog, and she quoted James 1:2-4. And about five minutes later, when I refreshed my facebook news feed, I saw that another friend who is completely unrelated to the friend who wrote the blog had posted the exact same verse.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Though I didn't connect it until just now, last night I was at a bible study we have started here and we were discussing various things, but during the time, I wanted to say, but didn't, that I feel as though all the trials and things related to depending on God to provide the things I couldn't provide for myself were necessary. And now I see this verse and am assured that this is exactly true. I am reminded now, also of Romans 5:2b-5:
... we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Perseverance, no matter what the situation, now matter how hard things get, builds character and hope. I don't always feel it necessary to write this way on my blog, but today I had to share. Just when things seem easy, they get harder. And sometimes, just when things start looking hard, they get harder. But we are still supposed to persevere. Perseverance creates in us better character and gives us hope. And when it's finished its work, we are mature and complete and we don't lack anything.
If I had to look back on my life, I would say I am generally at least ok at persevering. I am pretty good at rolling with the punches and sticking with things. I can be quite determined, even to the point of stubbornness. But there are times I just don't want to persevere! Thank God that "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16) It still speaks today. (Now I just have to persevere and memorize the references for the verses I have memorized!)
How are you doing with persevering? Do you consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds (or of any kind, as some translations say)? I encourage you to 'let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' And help me do the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment