Count it all joy, my brothers (and sisters), when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3
The Lord’s brother, James, sounds like Paul, teaching us to be joyful in these trials. This lesson is tough to hear in our culture, especially when we are in the thick of it. When we are challenged, struggling, or not feeling well, some of us tend to lash out, often even blaming others for our discomfort.
James is helping us to reframe this. He tells us to be joyful as the Lord will use this to build us up over time. The Greek word, translated as “steadfastness,” is ὑπομονή (hupomone’). It also translates as patient endurance or remaining behind. In other words, these are trials that linger, and we take them with us as teachings in the future.
Be joyful for all the learning opportunities the Lord gives you; they are building blocks of love.
SEARCHING FOR 42 