Perfection Through Suffering

Week of April 20, 2020

Text: James 1:2–3

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Faith is a muscle that must be exercised in order to be strengthened. When our faith is tested Paul said we should count it joy because we know that our testing will produce much fruit in us.

It reminds me of how the earth forms a diamond. A diamond is just a crystallized carbon that has been under such intense pressure and heat in the earth’s mantle that it creates a diamond.

We are like diamonds. The pressure and heat we feel from going through difficult times dissolves and removes the impurities and traps of a sinful world helping us to take on the image of Jesus.

Our Father desires of us to be able to say like the Psalmist…

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”

Psalm 73:25–26

Some of the most peaceful, content, and joyful people I have known in my life have been those who have suffered greatly. They have learned to count it all joy the perfecting of their faith through many trials. He is the potter and we are the clay. We are all just clay in the Master’s hands.

May the God of peace guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

XXOO,

Nancy