There must have been a reason why James wrote the words above. Why should I be happy when I am faced by diverse trials?, it could be a terminal illness, a very sick loved one, bills unpaid, debts unpaid, loss of money, jobs, a spouse etc , nevertheless, James says be joyful when these things come up? Why? Trials are a means to an end (see verse 4). To build trust in our relationship with God, knowing that He loves you and is working out the best end to that trial. God is in complete control!
The second is that God has made you fireproof and waterproof!! So what are you afraid of? In Isaiah 43:2 God says “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (NLT)
The fire is for refining and to burn away every impurity that has held you bound. Look at the three young Hebrew boys that were thrown into the furnace, first, the fire didn’t burn them , instead the only things that were melted in the fire were the ropes that held them bound, secondly, Christ was in the fire with them (Daniel 3:25). I use this episode as an analogy to the verse in Isaiah and the fact that no trial is required to sink you! You sink every trial through Christ in you and for you.
Today welcome every trial with Joy, know that God is refining and making you perfect so that you are complete lacking nothing. Be joyful, knowing that He is allowing it because He wants you to become all He has planned for you. He loves you deeply
The first is for growth;
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