James 1:2-4 ESV
“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, lacking in nothing.”

I know a lot of people think the first part of this passage is crazy. Count it all joy for trials and troubles, are you nuts. Actually, in acts 5:41, Peter and John “…left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.” NLT

In Romans 5:3 Paul said, “…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…”

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak (in the frailties of the flesh) then (in Christ) I am strong.”

Paul and Silas were beaten for casting out a demon in a young girl. After they had been screemed at, falsely accused, beaten unmercifully and thrown into prison and chained up like wild animals, They sang praise and worship because they loved Jesus and were thrilled that they had suffered for the name of Jesus.

James said that these sufferings are a testing of our faith, in other words, when trials come, we will be able to see how strong our faith is and of course God knows where our faith is and how strong it is.

Let’s get to the benefits of all this suffering, “you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Ok, I know steadfastness is not making most of us scream with delight but steadfastness in the time of trials, makes us complete and perfect and lacking nothing. Perfect may look too far off for some but the more we endure with graciousness, the more God honors us. Completeness may resident with most, we like to know when we are the total package.

The next blessing should get our attention; steadfastness under trial also will get us to the point where anything is possible. ANYTHING is possible in our lives. We can do anything, we can be blessed with all that we need in Christ.

I know some have suffered much more than others, but the more we endure with a smile on our face and a song in our heart, the greater the joy when God fulfills our needs.

Prayer:
Father, all that I have been through in my life, with the pain and suffering, it cannot be compared to what Your Son went through. Even so, I know that if I endure until the end, I will be stronger, wiser and more fulfilled. On top of that, I will reap a crown of glory and be with You forever more.