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James 1:1-11
Today's reading comes from the Letter of James. If you don't know, the Letter of James is a small letter sandwiched in between the Letter to the Hebrews and First Peter, if you care to check it out. Of all the books of the Bible (save the Gospels, themselves), I love the Letter of James. I love it for its simplicity, and I love it for the wealth of answers to some of life's most challenging questions.
One of the important questions answered in this passage is-- why do we suffer?
We learn from this passage from James that we suffer because in suffering we are tested. A test of how we perceive a situation. A test of how we react to a situation. A test of how we survive a situation.
I am sure that I speak for many of us when I say that some of my tests have been whoppers. Truth be told, I have probably failed more of them than I have passed. But (to use a school analogy), in this life, the grades do not matter. What matters is that we (1) come to class, (2) pay attention to the teacher, and (3) keep doing our homework.
This means that in life-- when your car breaks down, you don't lose your cool and scream at your family. This means that when your wife gets sick, you don't curse God. This means that when someone in your life fails you, you don't write them off as unimportant. Just think of all of the many ways that we suffer and are tested everyday.
Now, thank God because if we were not given these challenges (as unpleasant and difficult as they sometimes are) we would never have the opportunity to challenge our faith. Why would want to challenge our faith, you ask? Two good reasons: (1) to know that we have some, and (2) because a tested faith produces perseverance and makes us stronger.
Think about this. For most of us, when do we call God the loudest? We call on Him when we are in trouble. Truth is, for most of us, it is easy to get caught up in the world and our daily life and lose sight of what is even more real-- but harder to see.
Our life here is a journey with a series of tests. Each test moves us closer or farther away from God-- we chose. What the Letter of James tells us to do is simple: ask God for Wisdom and Faith because there is redemptive power in suffering.
One of the important questions answered in this passage is-- why do we suffer?
We learn from this passage from James that we suffer because in suffering we are tested. A test of how we perceive a situation. A test of how we react to a situation. A test of how we survive a situation.
I am sure that I speak for many of us when I say that some of my tests have been whoppers. Truth be told, I have probably failed more of them than I have passed. But (to use a school analogy), in this life, the grades do not matter. What matters is that we (1) come to class, (2) pay attention to the teacher, and (3) keep doing our homework.
This means that in life-- when your car breaks down, you don't lose your cool and scream at your family. This means that when your wife gets sick, you don't curse God. This means that when someone in your life fails you, you don't write them off as unimportant. Just think of all of the many ways that we suffer and are tested everyday.
Thank God for the Suffering.
Now, thank God because if we were not given these challenges (as unpleasant and difficult as they sometimes are) we would never have the opportunity to challenge our faith. Why would want to challenge our faith, you ask? Two good reasons: (1) to know that we have some, and (2) because a tested faith produces perseverance and makes us stronger.
Think about this. For most of us, when do we call God the loudest? We call on Him when we are in trouble. Truth is, for most of us, it is easy to get caught up in the world and our daily life and lose sight of what is even more real-- but harder to see.
Our life here is a journey with a series of tests. Each test moves us closer or farther away from God-- we chose. What the Letter of James tells us to do is simple: ask God for Wisdom and Faith because there is redemptive power in suffering.
Your explanation makes this seem so simple I wonder why it is so very hard for me to remember that suffering is good.
ReplyDelete"Truth is, for most of us, it is easy to get caught up in the world and our daily life and lose sight of what is even more real-- but harder to see."
You are so very right.
I have an simple answer for you. Suffering IS hard. Let's face it. We all hate it, and sometimes, it is just terrible. But keep this in mind-- if we didn't experience suffering, how would be ever really appreciate joy?
ReplyDeletePeace be with you, my friend. Thanks for reading.