Consider It Pure Joy?
BRD REFLECTIONS:
(Kayyona Lim, PTM, Christian Outreach and Social Concerns)
READ:
Verses 2-4 in James 1 caught my attention:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
OBSERVE:
The writer James exhorted Jewish Christians, who were being persecuted for their faith, to persevere and consider such trials as “pure joy” knowing that these trials strengthened and matured their faith in God.
APPLY:
I connect with verses 3-4 that persevering through trials strengthens and matures my faith in God. Initially, I cannot quite connect with verse 2 to consider trials as “pure joy”.
Recalling past experiences, I see that for some trials, it was easier to have an attitude of joy in these trials whereas for some trials, it was difficult to rejoice in them.
In trials such as suffering from illness or grieving over the demise of a loved one, I wonder how one can experience feelings of “pure joy” going through these difficult times, as much as we know God causes things to work out for our growth and for His purpose for us.
My friend who had cancer, suffered much from the side effects of chemotherapy, her body afflicted with aches, cracked skin, hair loss…how was she to rejoice in this journey of suffering?
When my dad passed on three years ago, I experienced sorrow and heartache. Grieving was so difficult because his demise was unexpected, what more, it happened at the uncanny timing as I had taken on the role of Bereavement IC for church demises then. “God, why do You do this to me, why do You allow me to know grief this way, must I know such pain for me to better journey with those who have lost loved ones?”
When we cannot rejoice, how can we still experience joy in trials as exhorted in verse 2?
As I reflected on this, I have come to realise that it is possible to rejoice if I regard the Lord Jesus as my source of Joy even though I cannot experience joyfulness in the midst of grieving.
What does “Christ as my Joy” look like? Christ as my Joy translates for me: I find joy in who He is for me in that situation.
When I poured out my grief to the Lord, He became my Refuge.
When I went to Him with my questions, He ministered to me tenderly.
As I rested in the Lord, He became my Peace. I could once again accept God is sovereign.
I am thankful that I persevered through my questions to God. The outcome of my faith being tested is I learnt a deeper trust in God as I surrendered to His higher ways and acknowledged God is still loving in all His ways.
DO:
Before trials come my way, I can grow the attitude of joy in trials by intentionally seeing who God is for me in good and bad situations, and growing the spirit of thanksgiving. My heart will anchor deeper in God’s everlasting love for me. When trials of many kinds come my way, it will be easier to rest in Christ as my Joy.
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, Loving Shepherd, I am grateful for how You have been my Refuge and my Anchor in the storms of life. Grant me Your grace to see You in all circumstances, big or small. Draw me closer to You, let me abide in Your deep love. May I continually praise Your name, You have been good to me and You are always good. Amen.
