By THE SPIRIT it is written in James chapter 1:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
As FATHER prepares us for the fullness of our calling we must be patient. Our preparation includes things we need as well as other things we need to get rid of from our lives. The various trials are meant to expose our current state in relation to that perfected state which will accommodate our calling. These trials will cause us to exercise faith and trust in FATHER’S directives as we go through them and some may be extreme in order that we walk in “great” faith IN HIM.
Our flesh does not want to be tested but instead wants a life without any significant trials. It would like to coast through life bypassing hardship and external challenges. As overcomers we must be able to “overcome” something or someone in order to be fully qualified in the area of faith and patience. These trials are meant to bring us into a singular focus of trusting FATHER in all aspects of our life and our tests will include the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. We can expect intense pressure as we move toward perfection so we can either embrace the tests or attempt to run from them.
FATHER will give us wisdom to deal with each trial if we will only ask HIM. HE is not withholding wisdom but will give to us without reluctance or reservation. As we move closer to perfection it becomes vitally important for us to be singular in purpose and thought for we cannot move on to perfection in a double-minded state. FATHER is purifying our hearts and all the dross must be removed in order to walk in HIS fullness which will allow our lights to shine brightly for all to see.
We must overcome our emotions as we are being tested. Our emotions will challenge the Wisdom from above by rationalizing why we should not have to go through the various trials and tests. We may feel guilty or embarrassed as these trials arise because we get concerned about what others think as they try to assign some type of judgment to our trial. Do they secretly believe we have some major spiritual flaw which would explain why we are being subjected to such a harsh trial? Paul suffered for Christ and he listed the various events in 2 Corinthians chapter 11. He was anointed to write two thirds of the New Testament so we must conclude his trials were to prepare him for the fullness of his calling. We must not let our emotions dictate our response to trials but let Wisdom from above guide us through to the conclusion of the tests.
The passage in James chapter 1 is meant to encourage us as these trials arise. Let us take on a fresh perspective concerning our walk toward perfection and view the trials in a positive manner. As we fully trust in FATHER’S Love for us we will be able to endure all things that rise up against us. The greater our trust the greater our stability and faith IN HIM. Each test and trial has an end. Our responsibility is to stay strong in THE LORD as we walk out the test and let patience have its perfect work.