Favorite Verses

Yesterday I decided to read some of James. I didn't know how far I would get, but I just love that book of the Bible. I started at 1:2, and once again was reminded how much I love the beginning of this book. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whever 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."

This verse has several things I love. The first is 'pure joy'. Anything pure is without blemish, perfect, 100%. Consider it pure joy, means there is no room for any thoughts about your trial other than joy. It's hard to wrap our heads around being happy about a trial, but that's what we're told to do.

The second is that trials come in many kinds. There's variety. Each trial has a purpose. Sometimes our trial is dealing with grief, sometimes stress about finances or job or other things that threaten our security. Sometimes it's dealing with conflict in relationships with others. I find this one the most difficult, because you can't control the other person, how they react, or what they do.

The third is that these trials test our faith. Our reaction to trials should be to be thankful for the trial, pray about it to see what God wants us to do about it, and leave the worry and concern the Master's feet. Faith is trusting God with the outcome.

Fourth, by practicing our faith repeatedly develops perseverance in us. We persevere when we don't give up. We have faith and hope in the only one who can make everything turn out all right.

And lastly, when we continue to persevere through these trials, we become mature and complete. There's a peace within us. When you think of the mature Christians around you, aren't they the ones who are at peace, joyful no matter what, have faith, and keep going? Aren't those you know who are always stressed and going through lots of trials the ones who you know are going through the proccess of maturity?

If we learn to put this scripture into practice when we face difficulties and do it consistently, our reactions to these things will be more peaceful.

How do you approach trials? What are your favorite verses?