Trials Turned to Gold!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Pure joy? Trials? These two things just don't seem to go together, do they? But the wisdom of these words in the Bible tell us that we should consider trials as "pure joy" because they produce something that is intensely valuable. Yes, these trials do test our faith. But not in vain. They are a catalyst that brings about a change in us and that change is that perseverance is developed. And what is so great about perseverance? It "works" in us a maturity and completeness that could not happen without it. And what brings about that wonderful perseverance--that completes and matures us and causes us to to not lack anything? Glory! Well, it's our old friend- trials. We can see our days and life differently when we understand the truth of this. It's not a strange, random thing-- that we have these prickly trials messing with our day. It's actually by design. They are there to work God's good perseverance into the fabric of our hearts. Oh yes, even this... the hard stuff of life.. comes from the heart of our God who loves us! That is pure joy!
