OH GOODY- More trials!!

James 1 verse 2 tells us to "consider it great joy whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance"  Ok, so it's not enough to consider it joy, we have to consider it GREAT joy?  Really?!!  Well, I seem to struggle with this.  Anyone else?  Who like to have trials?  I much prefer smooth sailing.  I want everything to go my way the first time.  I want traffic to cooperate, the check-out line at Wal-Mart to move faster, peace and harmony in my home, enough money to pay bills and still have fun on the weekends.  You know, just the basics.  Is that too much to ask?  Seems like there might be a little bit too much, I, ME, MINE in this list of wants.

As I read through James 1 this morning I am again reminded that it is NOT about ME! (or you, I hate to be alone!)  We sure want it to be about us don't we?  I felt relieved when I continued on past the great joy part and got to the part about the long term benefits of trials.  See, in verse 1 it did not say "IF" you have various trials but rather "WHENEVER" you have various trials.  The implication here is that trials WILL indeed come. 

We have to decide whether we will allow those trials to mold and shape us into the men and women God desires for us to be or will we allow them to derail us and cause us to be seperated from our Lord and Savior?  James 1 goes on to give some wise counsel about dealing with these trials and promises wisdom if we will only ask and then beleive in faith.  Are you ready to face the next challenge?  Are you ready to grow through it?  Are you ready to be joyful in the midst of it? 

God, thank you for your word.  Thank you that you make provision for us and that you help us to grow closer to you during difficult times when surrender ourselves to you.  Help us to count it joy when you refine our faith with trials and help us to ask in faith for your wisdom.  Make us a bright light in a dark world.  Amen.

Waiting on Him,

ML