We hope you’ve had a great week! If you’re like me, you’re probably inclined to measure a successful week by how few obstacles and challenges you had to face. No trauma or challenge usually constitutes a positive seven days! However, I’ve been thinking that there are one or two flaws in this outlook.
Jesus says that we are not exempt from difficulties and obstacles. He tells us, ‘In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) In a similar vein, the apostle James says, ‘Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness’ (James 1:2) Both scriptures imply that times of testing will come our way and, if we view them always as negative, we can miss a vital point: it is in those times of challenge and difficulty that we can become even closer to our overcomer, as we rely on His strength, wisdom and presence to see us through.
James implies that, rather than seeing the trial as a slur on our faith level, we should dig deep and adopt an attitude of joy. He suggests that joy in adversity helps us to believe that we will eventually overcome, whatever the trial. Finding a godly perspective in whatever we are going through is so important! When we realise that God uses the difficulties as well as the celebrations to make us more like Him, we can find peace in knowing that our faith can be strengthened in the face of adversity!