Within the church, I hear a common
phrase uttered among folks of all ages: “I’m in a difficult season,” or “we’re
going through some challenges.” In fact, these topics of conversation are not
just limited to the churchgoing family or individual. We are all guaranteed
difficulty, and some encounter seasons that cannot be overcome by the power of
the individual experiencing the pain. God doesn’t promise a pain-free life for
those who believe in him, but he does promise he has overtaken it. There is
victory in the end! Unfortunately, in moments of struggle, it is hard to see
past the fog and into the perspective of God. Even if God doesn’t snap his
fingers to make the fog disappear, he does give us the perfect set of
instructions on how to encounter the season of obstacles. Within these set of
instructions, God promises us an outcome that develops from putting on an
attitude, mindset, and perspective that not only honors him, but delivers you
through the difficulty and into victory.
One of these
mindsets comes from James 1:1-4:
“Consider it pure
joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that
you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Not only are we commanded to allow the
trials to test our faith, but to take joy
in them! Be thrilled that you get to experience difficulty, because in the
end, it is the pathway to maturity and completeness in Christ. Your joy through
pain is not an excuse for complacency and laziness; we are also called to act
in wisdom, not like the foolish and ignorant. However, our attitude and
perspective should be focused on our end goal: how our trials can positively
influence our maturity in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately,
it is during struggle we often take our eyes off of Jesus and/or demand that he
take care of our situation. Our attitude is not right. Perseverance is being
patient in the midst of difficulty. Unfortunately, steep in fight or flight, we
go into protective mode, building steel walls around our heart so nothing can
penetrate its vulnerable state. We close up instead of opening up to God’s
provision. We become so damaged when we face trials and will even go as far as
crafting made-up scenarios in our mind to justify our fear and disappointment.
In essence, the trials and possibility of upcoming trials dictate our present
attitude. Often, we kick God out of the situation and/or let the situation
determine how we approach God instead of letting God teach us and mold us
through the struggle.
In James 1:1-4, he does not diminish
the impact trials have on us. In no way is James downplaying the power a
difficult season can have. Instead, he
is describing a mindset we can choose to have in the midst of a season we have
don’t have a choice over. Nobody ever told you you have to cheer up when
life is tough, but nobody said you couldn’t take joy in those seasons either.
Yes, trials are no fun, but trials never had control over your attitude and
perspective. You do. You can choose joy through trials instead of pouting about
it. God didn’t just gift you with life, but he gifted you the freedom to choose
who you trust in and what attitude you will have no matter what. Choosing to have a godly perspective that is
filled with joy through difficulty is another way of saying, “I trust you,
Jesus! Do what you will in this season.”
Despite the world providing “solutions” on how
to cure “bad vibes” by “doing you,” ask God what he is looking to do with you
through the season of trial. A trial-filled season is not the time to bail on God,
but to lean in, stand your ground, and go deeper than you have ever gone
before. What if instead of reacting through your emotions, you listen to the Spirit and what it is saying to you? Your response to trials will determine
the level of growth you reach. Don’t let the level of difficulty you face
determine the limitations you place on your growth. God has gifted you the ability to persevere and overcome in the midst of pain. Let it finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment