I read a devotion yesterday with this title by Charles Stanley that really made me think. The scripture he used is James 1:2-4; "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete and lack nothing."
This passage of scripture has been read, taught, explained, and used many times for people facing trials in their life. But how does it apply to our daily life when we aren't facing major difficulties? I want to look at it from the same perspective I did my new year's goals; intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Intellectually: If we were never given tests (school word for trial), how would we know what we have accomplished? If we aren't measuring our minds periodically, then we have no way of knowing if we are becoming smarter, staying the same, or losing intelligence. As much as we all hate(d) tests, they were useful to us and helped us become who we are today.
Physically: I do not care what commercial, advertisement, or online post you see about being fit, the simple truth is this, it is not easy. There's not an easy workout, easy diet, easy plan that makes being healthy easy. Yes, there are plans that can help simplify the process, but it's not easy. You can find the best workout routine in the world, but it's not easy to go to the gym every single day. You can find the best meal plan, but it's not easy to skip some of your favorite meals, or let cheat meal become cheat weekend. It takes hard work, dedication, and endurance. And I believe that is why many people in the fitness community have a mutual respect for each other, even people you may not like or consider rivals, because you at least know they have put in work to get to where they are. Every day can be a test physically, but passing those daily tests produces long-term results.
Spiritually: When was the last time you cried out to God? I don't mean when you were a good little boy or girl and said your prayers. I mean really cried out to God for help or answers. Most likely it was during some sort of tragedy. As Christians, our faith gets tested. The strength that we develop from those terrible things that happen in our lives is what produces "steadfastness", the withstanding of the trial until God takes care of it. We are made "perfect" through these trials because truthfully, most of us really seek God when our world is crumbling around us. We seek Him when we begin to realize and believe that he's all we have. Our faith will be tested, but God will prepare and deliver us, often times by using drastic measures to get our attention.
Socially: No one ever wants to have fights with friends, marital problems, or issues with coworkers. But unfortunately these things tend to happen. You don't have to search the internet long to see stories of marriages strengthened though difficult trials like a child's illness, or the bonds that are formed by military personnel who endure extremely challenging training together. We are going to get tested, both with other people and by other people. But don't let the test become the end, let the lesson and the bond that you form become the end result.
James tells us to count these things "joy." We're not going to be happy when we go through trials but we should not lose our joy. Happiness is based on our external circumstances, but joy comes from within.
This passage of scripture has been read, taught, explained, and used many times for people facing trials in their life. But how does it apply to our daily life when we aren't facing major difficulties? I want to look at it from the same perspective I did my new year's goals; intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Intellectually: If we were never given tests (school word for trial), how would we know what we have accomplished? If we aren't measuring our minds periodically, then we have no way of knowing if we are becoming smarter, staying the same, or losing intelligence. As much as we all hate(d) tests, they were useful to us and helped us become who we are today.
Physically: I do not care what commercial, advertisement, or online post you see about being fit, the simple truth is this, it is not easy. There's not an easy workout, easy diet, easy plan that makes being healthy easy. Yes, there are plans that can help simplify the process, but it's not easy. You can find the best workout routine in the world, but it's not easy to go to the gym every single day. You can find the best meal plan, but it's not easy to skip some of your favorite meals, or let cheat meal become cheat weekend. It takes hard work, dedication, and endurance. And I believe that is why many people in the fitness community have a mutual respect for each other, even people you may not like or consider rivals, because you at least know they have put in work to get to where they are. Every day can be a test physically, but passing those daily tests produces long-term results.
Spiritually: When was the last time you cried out to God? I don't mean when you were a good little boy or girl and said your prayers. I mean really cried out to God for help or answers. Most likely it was during some sort of tragedy. As Christians, our faith gets tested. The strength that we develop from those terrible things that happen in our lives is what produces "steadfastness", the withstanding of the trial until God takes care of it. We are made "perfect" through these trials because truthfully, most of us really seek God when our world is crumbling around us. We seek Him when we begin to realize and believe that he's all we have. Our faith will be tested, but God will prepare and deliver us, often times by using drastic measures to get our attention.
Socially: No one ever wants to have fights with friends, marital problems, or issues with coworkers. But unfortunately these things tend to happen. You don't have to search the internet long to see stories of marriages strengthened though difficult trials like a child's illness, or the bonds that are formed by military personnel who endure extremely challenging training together. We are going to get tested, both with other people and by other people. But don't let the test become the end, let the lesson and the bond that you form become the end result.
James tells us to count these things "joy." We're not going to be happy when we go through trials but we should not lose our joy. Happiness is based on our external circumstances, but joy comes from within.
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