2Â Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3Â because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Â Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The Bible makes it clear that Christ has won, the victory is His, but we still have to perservere through alot of junk, to put it nicely. I have some close friends, 2 different families, that are going through alot of junk, facing trials that most of us will never have to face. I pray I never face anything remotely close to what I see my friends in the middle of. These situations are not the result of bad decisions, things have just happened, and the situation could happen to me just as easily. We have had the opportunity to walk with our friends through their trials, pray for them and simply listen.
In listening to my friends, I have seen both of them throw their hands up and confess that it’s out of their hands, essentially giving up in frustration. I have also seen God working in both situations and through these families in ways that make it clear that God is in control and leading them through. He’s not clearing the path but He is faithful.
James 1:2-4, above, tells us to consider it pure joy when you face trials because the trials produce perseverance.
Is that the only way to produce perseverance?
Lord, help me, and I mean that, Lord be with me as I face trials. Be with my friends, as well, meet their needs, give them strength and use me to be encouraging.