Consider it joy

[NewCreation435]

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

When I read that first I think it is comforting to know that God is working even through my trials to build a strong and mature faith in me. But, then I realize how many times i have blown it in the past when encountering trials. My natural tendency is not to consider that God is up to something when I enter into a trial, but to try and get out of it as soon as possible. I don't consider that though God did not cause my trial He is in the midst of it and will use it to build in me a stronger faith so that I might honor Him more. The adversity acts like a refining fire burning away what is worthless that what is worthwhile might be more useful.
in John 15:2 Jesus called this being pruned. He said "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."

this looks very similiar to 1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

This seems to be the primary goal: that our faith may result in praise and glory and honor to the Lord.

Also similiar is Romans 5:3-5

How can we more successfully go through our trials that God might do a work in us? What other insights to you see in these verses?

 

[Tigger]

Yeah, I used to have a lot more dought set in during trials but now I realize that faith is my only true constant. So though the trial really blows, I can better see how the trial is temporary and will eventually pass and things will get better.

 

[NewCreation435]

Yeah, I used to have a lot more dought set in during trials but now I realize that faith is my only true constant. So though the trial really blows, I can better see how the trial is temporary and will eventually pass and things will get better.

It is interesting that you mention doubt because it is also mentioned in this same chapter in James 1:6-8 "but let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." As opposed to the man of faith who can according to Jesus move mountains Matthew 21:21

 

[Josiah]

There is a whole theology of suffering.... and it's certainly a major topic in Scripture..... but I think in modern times, we've pretty much deleted the whole thing. It's just not spoken of. I think there are some reasons for this:


1. The Theology of Glory has surplanted the Theology of the Cross. We see the most radical aspect of that in the "prosperity gospel."


2. Pain, suffering, death SEEM less omnipresent. Until fairly recently, death was a constant in everyone's life; funerals happened often, people died young, lots of children died and mothers in childbirth, disease was everywhere and trama left many (most?) in pain if not in some ways disabled. Modern science has eliminated a lot of that. When I get a headache, I take a pill and it goes away. When I have a toothache, I go to the dentist and he solves the problem. My Dad has diabetes but the medications control it and eliminate the symptoms (and probably will give him a full length life). People live into their 80's and 90's - and often lived well for nearly all those years. Today, the problem is often too much food, not starvation. Suffering, pain, etc. are seen as PROBLEMS which are to be cured..... and generally is. This has removed the whole topic from "the front burner."


3. Suffering, injustice, hardship..... if these are given ANY spiritual consideration (and it rarely is) it's credited as bad and something God "hates" more than self. Prayers are NEVER "God use this." No one ever prays that. Prayers are "God, make it GO AWAY!"



Pax Christi



- Josiah

 

[Confessional Lutheran]

As I read through this thread, I am reminded of what I took as my Confirmation Verse, John 15:5 ( English Standard Version (ESV)):
5*I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. It's true. In Christ Jesus, we can do anything ( with His help). We can even best our trials as long as the Holy Spirit keeps that light of faith shining in our hearts. I think we've all suffered and I think that as Christians, we will continue to suffer. The Theology of the Cross is not an easy one, but it's the one that Jesus said we would have to walk ( with Him at our side). In fact, that is what Jesus said that anyone who wanted to be His disciple would actually have to do: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me ( Matt: 16:24).

If we try to do this thing we call life on our own, of course we'll fall on our faces, but if we just hand the steering wheel over to Jesus, He will steer us clear of every obstacle and shelter us through life's thunderstorms. It's all about being conformed to Jesus. Did He flinch from doing His Father's Will? Even during His darkest hour, did He not say " let Your Will be done," even after He pleaded for the Lord to take that cup of suffering away from Him? Nobody likes to suffer. Nobody likes pain. That is our allotment as Christians, though. Maybe we should simply trust in God.

 

[NewCreation435]

As I read through this thread, I am reminded of what I took as my Confirmation Verse, John 15:5 ( English Standard Version (ESV)):
5*I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. It's true. In Christ Jesus, we can do anything ( with His help). We can even best our trials as long as the Holy Spirit keeps that light of faith shining in our hearts. I think we've all suffered and I think that as Christians, we will continue to suffer. The Theology of the Cross is not an easy one, but it's the one that Jesus said we would have to walk ( with Him at our side). In fact, that is what Jesus said that anyone who wanted to be His disciple would actually have to do: Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me ( Matt: 16:24).

If we try to do this thing we call life on our own, of course we'll fall on our faces, but if we just hand the steering wheel over to Jesus, He will steer us clear of every obstacle and shelter us through life's thunderstorms. It's all about being conformed to Jesus. Did He flinch from doing His Father's Will? Even during His darkest hour, did He not say " let Your Will be done," even after He pleaded for the Lord to take that cup of suffering away from Him? Nobody likes to suffer. Nobody likes pain. That is our allotment as Christians, though. Maybe we should simply trust in God.

Your post reminded me of this song

https://youtu.be/Dp4WC_YZAuw

 

[Imalive]

:cheer::hiphiphooray::groupheads::congrats::cbanana::cheer2:arty019::stars::stars:

YAAAAAAY!!! TRIALS!!! WHAT A JOY!!!!!!

 

[NewCreation435]

:cheer::hiphiphooray::groupheads::congrats::cbanana::cheer2:arty019::stars::stars:

YAAAAAAY!!! TRIALS!!! WHAT A JOY!!!!!!

I don't think the point of the passage is that we are joyful because of the trials. It isn't telling us to enjoy pain and suffering. But, maybe it is because of trials that God is going to do something great in our lives.