Monday, August 20, 2007
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
GOOD GRIEF?
"Good Grief . . . I can't stand it!" So said Charlie Brown, the lovable loser of the Charles Schulz comic strip "Peanuts." When things went bad or something disappointing happened, Charlie Brown didn't curse or swear, he just said, "Good Grief" or "I just can't stand it!" Charlie Brown's catch phrase raises a question.
Is there such a thing as "good grief"? Are we to think of trials and troubles as good or evil? We learn from the Word of God given to James that we Christians should grow up and think of trials as a good thing. For God uses trials to add endurance to our faith and to teach us to pray for wisdom.
It's easy to be joyful when things go well. But it's not so easy to be joyful when things go poorly. Still, we are told to "count it all joy" when we fall into various trials and are tested.
Trials may come as a result of life in this sinful world. They may come in the form of sickness, disease, and stress. When trials come we are often sad and too easily feel sorry for ourselves. But God's servant James, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has a different message: "Be Happy and consider all trials and troubles a joyful thing!" Is he kidding? Is this impossible and completely unrealistic? Be happy?
We may bear every trial with joy because we know God's purpose beforehand! God seeks our spiritual growth and maturity through trials! Trials serve to test our faith, to reveal our faith's weak spots. He wants us to learn like the Apostles and respond to trials like they did, rejoicing to be counted worthy to suffer for Him (Acts 5:41). He wants us to learn that we can completely trust Him without reservation. It's vital that we remember that God doesn't allow trials to punish us or lead us to despair, but to give our faith endurance.
Long distance runners train and push their bodies to run better and gain endurance. Trials, both physical and spiritual, are a means by which God gives our faith endurance, patience, and steadfastness.
