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November 24, 2020
Today’s Promise
You Can Rejoice in Every Trial
James 1:2-3
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
You Can Rejoice
How in the world can you rejoice when you face trials and difficulties? No one looks down at a flat tire and says, “Praise God, I have a flat tire!”
We may not like them, but you can rest assured all of us face difficult times. Back in January, who could have known all the problems and devastation 2020 was going to bring. For some of us, this is the most challenging time in our life.
When you face a difficulty, trial, or problem, God shows you how you are to respond.
God Says Rejoice
The book of James tells us to Rejoice! For most of us, that makes very little sense. Why would you rejoice in a problem? We spend our lives trying to avoid problems and difficulties. Why would we rejoice in them? The phrase “Consider it all joy” really means consider it a pure or complete joy. God commands us to respond with over-the-top joy when we face problems or trials.
Instead of looking at your difficulties as a punishment or a curse, James invites you to see them as opportunities for God to work.
How can you have complete joy when facing a major problem or trial?
Not For Trials, But in Trials
First, to clear things up a bit, James doesn’t say you should rejoice for trials but rejoice in trials. We live in a fallen world, and from time to time, we will face problems and difficulties.
Now, I am not talking about some positive thinking, “fake it until you make it” mindset. I’m talking about an honest response to difficult times.
Remember, any time God’s Word commands you to do something, He empowers you to accomplish what He asks. With every command, there is a promise.
You can overflow with joy as you face trials because you know the bigger picture. God never wastes a struggle or problem you face. God uses every problem in your life for your good. He uses every problem or trial to develop your faith and character.
Testing Your Faith
Second, God uses problems and difficulties to test your faith. Every time your faith is tested, it becomes stronger. Faith that is not tested is useless. You don’t climb up a ladder until you test it to make sure it is steady and will hold you. Testing grows your faith.
Faith is like gold; it can stand the test of fire. True faith, like gold, can endure the fire no matter how hot it gets.
Endourance
As your faith is tested, again and again, it grows stronger and develops endurance. Endurance is the ability to stand amid difficult situations and not give up. Endurance is the outcome of hope and faith.
James says you will face all kinds of trials. Each of those trials will test and strengthen your faith in different ways. As your faith is tested, you will find new strength and endurance to face the next test or trial that comes along.
In every trial, you can rejoice because God uses every difficulty to strengthen your faith and make you like Jesus.
Look at that promise again.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. – James 1:2-3
Makes these confessions:
- In every trial, I can rejoice.
- God uses every difficulty to strengthen and build my faith.
- I don’t rejoice for the trial, but I can rejoice in the trial.
- Every time my faith is tested, I grow stronger in my faith and build endurance.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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Has your faith been tested in difficulty? Did your faith grow through that process? Share your story in the comments below.
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