James 1:2-4 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.

It’s interesting that James, the half-brother of Jesus who ministered almost exclusively to Jews, wrote something so very similar to what Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, wrote in Romans 5:3-5. This all fits in with the chorus, repeated throughout the New Testament, of being grateful and joyful regardless of our circumstances. That flies in the face of our flesh, which would rather not suffer in any way! The Bible isn’t teaching masochism by any means; we aren’t to seek out suffering. However, when we are totally convinced we were created by a loving Heavenly Father, we can have assurance that He won’t allow anything in our lives that He can’t use for our good, however it might feel in the moment. (Romans 8:28) That’s the message from James, and from Paul, for that matter. This completely eliminates victim mentality, if we genuinely trust God. It doesn’t take much insight to see that a victim mentality leads to misery, not happiness in any way. As Paul famously said in Romans 8:37, in all suffering and persecution we are more than conquerors, in Christ Jesus our Lord. After all, He went to the cross for us, and the result was eternal salvation for all who would receive it in repentance and faith. Whatever our suffering, it doesn’t equal what He went through.

I had never thought of it this way before, but knowing this truth in the depths of my heart probably has a lot to do with my high tolerance for pain. I’m also not intimidated by medical procedures of any kind, though I don’t necessarily enjoy them. That’s not at all to say I don’t get irritated, or even angry, at some things, but it does go a long way toward making life enjoyable. In dealing with others, I have to be careful that I don’t come across as trivializing their pain, or suffering of any kind. It’s real to them, however transient I might know it to be. I am to be grateful for God’s grace to me and express that grace to those with whom I interact, so that they too may open their hearts in faith to receive the abundant blessings God has planned for them.

Father, thank You for Your truly amazing love, mercy, and grace. Help me trust You more and more fully and lead others to do likewise, regardless of circumstances, not only so that we won’t miss any of the blessings You have prepared for us, but so that You may be glorified. Thank You. Praise God!