Count It All Joy

28 December 2008

' Mt brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need' James 1:2-4

When this passage was written by James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the early church in Jerusalem, it was a time of horror, persecution and hardship for the early believers.

Yet he calls for his fellow believers to face all kinds of trials and testing with joy, faith, and optimism. He never asks us to wish for hard times but he reminds us that hard times- whether financial, physical, relational or emotional - combined with faith, are opportunities for becoming a mature person seasoned with salt.

If you are facing adversity in your life right now, take heart, and know that God is doing something wonderful and new in your heart and life.

' When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame hurt you. This is because I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.' Isa 43:2-3

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