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by Bible League International,
Narrated by Artificial Intelligence,
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Scripture,
My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. – James 1:2-4 ERV
Devotion,
Trials, troubles, and tribulations will come our way. We say, “That’s just part of life,” and then we often add, “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” This typical attitude is just part of our cultural heritage. It’s something that we pick up without even thinking about it or questioning it.
At the same time, we complain about our circumstances in life, however, we are leery of fully trusting someone who has never been tested in life, or never had any real trouble they had to overcome. We don’t know what to expect from such a person. We don’t know if they will buckle under the strain of adverse circumstances or not.
So, we have a conflict in our attitudes. We don’t like problems, but we don’t trust people who have never had problems. James’ counsel on these matters is more consistent. We should be happy in adverse circumstances, because of the positive effects they can have on us as persons. Christians whose faith is tested in times of trouble can learn how to handle them. They can learn how to be patient in suffering.
We don’t like it when someone loses it under the pain of adversity. We don’t like it when a person of faith goes wobbly in faith when the chips are down. What’s the solution? It’s to let patience do its work. God, obviously, is more interested in what we become as a person than having us sail through life trouble free. God wants mature and complete people who can be patient during the tough times. In our sinful and broken world, trouble is something He can use to develop patience.
When you face the troubles, you will inevitably face in life, remember James’ counsel. Remember that in the midst of the pain and suffering, something good can happen if you let patience do its work.
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