Consider it Pure Joy... James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you

know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James states that perseverance is the product of faith being tested with many trials. While nobody likes being challenged on his or her faith, James says to "Consider it pure joy". He says this because perseverance makes a soul "mature and complete".

Things in life may be turbulent, and you may not feel like holding on. But have you considered the alternative?

a. Nobody lives without troubles.

b. Christians are not immune, and may face more that their share.

c. How we handle troubles means the difference between being shallow and bitter, or mature and joyous.

Remember, YOU ARE A WORK IN PROGRESS.

a. You can learn from the blessings

b. You can learn even more from trials.

c. What are you learning right now?

From Dr. Jay Jeffers

In Everything... For Everything

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19-20

Once I was discussing the subject of gratitude with a friend who had broken her ankle. For her, being on crutches wasn't fun. There were many appointments and travel plans she had to cancel. "I can accept a verse like I Thessalonians 5:18, 'Give thanks in all circumstances...'" she sighed, looking at her leg cast, "but I don't
think I could give thanks for this clunky thing."

Something about her comment troubled me. People are willing to thank God in the midst of their circumstances for his grace, comfort, and sustaining power. But they draw a line when it comes to the circumstances themselves. We segregate God from the suffering He allows, as though a broken ankle merely "happens," and God shows up after the fact. We don't thank God for the problem, just for finding Him in it.

But today's verse underscores the supreme sovereignty of God over all suffering. The apostle Paul -- who endured his share of tragedies -- never considered his circumstances as tragic. He tells all believers we should be, "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I give God thanks for my quadriplegia. It has become the strange friend which helps me know Jesus better. It is the shadowy companion that walks with me daily, pulling and pushing me into the arms of the Savior where I find grace and comfort. Your affliction falls well within the overarching decrees of God. It comes from His wise and kind hand and for that, you can give thanks. In it and for it.

Sovereign God, today I bring my affliction and disappointment before your throne. I thank you in it... for it... and ultimately I thank you for bringing me through it. Please increase a spirit of gratitude that I might always be thankful.


Taken from Pearls of Great Price.  Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530