“See the unfolding purpose of God beyond the difficulty, and rejoice in anticipation of good.”
As long as there are times in your life, some of those will be trying times. You cannot avoid nor escape them. You must face them, be patient and faithful during them, and learn from them, for then “you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” James 1:4 NLT. The life – or faith – that never experiences resistance never grows stronger. Physical resistance is exactly what develops natural strength, and resistance to your spiritual life develops spiritual muscle – what the Bible calls faith.
God’s objective for your spiritual life is to preserve you in and through trying times, not to protect you from troubles. During those challenging times you will learn more about God than you ever knew before. And you will learn more about yourself, discovering strength where you thought you were weak, and maybe weakness where you thought you were strong. You will find God’s faithfulness unfailing, His provision dependable and sufficient, and His Word wise and sure counsel for every circumstance.
In today’s verse, James, the brother of Jesus, was not advocating that you be glad because you have troubles. That would be quite unreasonable and difficult. James’ advice is to look well beyond the difficulty of the moment to see the unfolding purpose of God on your behalf, and rejoice in anticipation of the good that will come from this moment, however trying and unlikely it may presently seem.
The Bible offers broad teaching from multiple voices to support this truth. “Therefore do not lose heart . . for your light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for you a far more eternal weight of glory . . for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18. See Romans 8:18.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7.
What is on trial? Your faith, that it may be proved to be real and authentic. Trying times that come to destroy your faith and expose its weaknesses can instead strengthen your faith and prove its sincerity and resolve. Paul faced a severe trial of his faith and in that trying time he realized the very real effect – “that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Beyond your problems, you will find the power and faithfulness of a great God. Who could want more than that? Why would you accept anything less than that?
My prayer for you today is that your faith will be equal to your trial.