James, a little book of wisdom: facing tough times
As I start to read this letter, I’m aware that this could take a year, rather than just one month! Every verse is packed with wisdom that I want to unpack in detail.
Moreover, with all the stuff that is going on in my personal world at the moment, my head is all over the place and I can’t focus my attention for too long on one thing. And so my plan for this month is emerging: I’m going to present a few verses from James and then throw down some of my random musings and then leave time and space for you to sit with the truths and see how they can apply to your own lives.
Today’s wisdom:
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
My random musings:
Wow! Pure joy – really? I’m not sure I’ve ever thought about the tough times I’m facing as pure joy! That is a massive ask.
Maybe what I am starting to learn is an acceptance that bad things happen to all of us. It is not our fault. It is often not in our control. I’ve stopped fighting against it, stopped looking for reasons and answers and explanations. And in that, there is the start of a kind of contentment – nowhere near joy yet, but maybe I’m heading in the right direction.
I can also see with the benefit of hindsight how the really difficult periods in my life have formed me into the person I am today. I have learnt from them and become a stronger and more compassionate person. I say stronger, but right now, I feel considerably weakened by the stress and anxiety I am carrying. I can’t bounce back from setbacks and disappointments as easily as I used to be able to. However, there is a quiet confidence that comes from perseverance: with God on my side, I can get through this – maybe crawling rather than running towards the finish line, but I can get through this.
By the grace of God, I will carry on.
Remember, this is the brother of Jesus who is writing these words. He’s lived alongside Jesus and witnessed all the trials and temptations that Jesus faced – right up to the taunts and torture of death on a cross. James himself will be facing suffering for his faith too. Life as a Christian Jew at that time was far from easy.
A faith that has not been tested cannot know how it respond when it is faced with tough times. A faith that has been tested with all sorts of trials will be based on a confidence that it can survive and thrive through a tenacious trust in the one true God who is always there and will never let us down.
So I’m not going to shy away from difficulties and avoid the tough stuff. I want to be mature and complete. I’m learning that I have everything I need the hard way. But maybe the hard way is the best way.
My questions for you:
What is your attitude to the difficult situations that you’re facing in your life right now?
Is there another way of responding to these trials that could be more helpful for you going forward?
