James 1:2-3 AMP says; Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

Wholly joyful! Entirely, totally, completely joyful. From the top of your head to the tip of your toes joyful. That’s a whole lot of joyfulness! And he wasn’t talking about it when you get something good, something you’ve been waiting for a long time. No, he’s referring to the times when you bump up against trials or fall into temptations. He’s asking us to be joyful at the most difficult of times! Why do you think that is? Because on the other side of that trial or temptation, that ‘proving of your faith’, brings out the very best thing of all; endurance, steadfastness and patience.

I believe what James is instructing us to do has everything to do with faith. Seeing things that are not, as though they are. Not seeing the trial as the end, seeing the thing you’re hoping for as the end. He’s saying, don’t look at what you’re going through right now, this will pass, look to the end. Like training for a marathon, you’re going to have some pain, you’re going to face some obstacles, but keep your eyes on the goal you’ve set before you. Work your way through your pain. Stay the course. The end is where you receive your prize.

I’m so thankful for the times I pushed through the pain of my circumstances. I did not allow what I was going through to define my life or become the place I jumped off. When friends left, I knew they were a part of my past not my future. If they didn’t fit into the plans and purposes God had for my life, I had to trust that it was a good thing they were gone, not a bad thing. I chose not to sit and think on how much I missed them or grieve over a lost friendship, I thanked God for what I experienced, what I learned through our friendship and searched for the next person who needed what I had in me and who would help me toward my finish line. That wasn’t meant to sound cold or bitter, it was meant to show that God always has your future on his mind. Some people are only meant to link arms for training, not for the long haul.

Father, I thank you that you have ordered every step. Even my missteps you have purpose for, that is to build up my endurance so I may finish the race and reach the prize. My eyes are on you. My hope is in you. As I press on, give me the exact amount of patience I need to push through. I need to hear your voice, to feel your breath on the back of my neck as you tell me which way to turn and where my next step will fall. I will joyfully praise your Name. I will laugh at my time of deepest need because I see your hand taking me through it. You will never allow my feet to be stuck when you firmly hold my hand. I give you glory for all of this, in Jesus’ Name. Amen