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. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Key reflections:
- We often experience feelings of anxiety and uncertainty when we are faced with challenges and difficulties.
- There is more to life than what we are experiencing in the moment. A change of perspective can change how we travel through difficult times.
- Listen to Real Hope wherever you get your podcasts.
When we experience something tough, ‘pure joy’ is not usually our first response. Oftentimes anxiety, dread, uncertainty, or feelings of disappointment are what come to the surface as we contemplate the situation at hand.
What we are learning, is that we can consider, think on, or approach our tough times with joy!
Within the verses of James 1:2- 1:4, scripture doesn’t say that these feelings will be eliminated for the believer. Within these verses, what we are learning, is that we can consider, think on, or approach our tough times with joy!
This is not just any old joy. This is pure joy: unpolluted, rightfully placed, honorably generated JOY!
If our minds are focused only on the here and now, everything feels much harder and much worse
But how is joy possible when life just isn’t going well? It’s possible because of what it’s rooted in. This ‘joy’ is brought about by an awareness of the greater picture at play. This is an opportunity to develop perseverance and see our trials lead to maturity and fulfillment.
If our minds are focused only on the here and now, everything feels much harder and much worse. But, if we see our present-day sufferings in light of the larger course of our lives, and the importance of our perseverance along the way, then we really can experience pure joy!
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Devotion written by Laura Bennett
Originally published as Thankfulness in Times of Uncertainty – The Joy of Persevering
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