James 1:2-5, NKJV
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
This has become one of my favorite Bible passages. The "count it all joy" part used to frustrate me until it clicked what James is teaching here. God will give me the wisdom I need in trials. With this knowledge, that end from beginning, if I ask, I'll be given the wisdom to go through a trial, I have freedom to enjoy the process.
I've mentioned before that I wanted to be a scientist. It's fun to me, now that I understand the wisdom available for me in trials, to explore the testing of my faith which produces patience. I can observe patience having its perfect work. It's like watching something captivating happen under a microscope, only I get to experience it from the inside out. The end is always a victory but the process requires a path of growth that fascinates me.
The quicker I remember to embrace God's available wisdom, the quicker the transition to joy during a trial comes.
I love this life!
Copyright 2011 Leah Lambert Smith
