Read: James 1:1-12
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. —James 1:2
Bible In One Year: Numbers 31-33; Mark 9:1-29
On the back of a wedding anniversary card were some wiggly lines drawn by our 3-year-old grandson. Alongside was a note from our daughter explaining that Trevor told her what he had written: "I'm writing a letter for your love and happy adversity."
Trevor's "mistake" has become our watchword, because "happy adversity" embodies the biblical principle of facing difficulties with joy: "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2-3).
From our perspective, adversity is anything but happy. We have the idea that the Christian life is supposed to be trouble-free, and we see little value in hardship. But God sees it differently.
J. B. Phillips' translation of James 1:2-3 reads: "When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance."
Affliction does not come as a thief to steal our happiness, but as a friend bringing the gift of staying power. Through it all, God promises us His wisdom and strength.
So don't be offended if I wish you "Happy Adversity" today. —David McCasland
Those trials often are a reminder to "Listen up, Pilgrim" when God wants us to hear His directions for us - to see some new door he is about to open ahead.
This is one of my favorite expressions:
God says:
I am covenanted, committed forever to love you;
to do whatever is best for you.
I will be kind, encouraging and enabling, but I will also be challenging.
At times I will come to comfort you in your affliction.
At other times I will come to afflict you in your comfort.
Whatever I do, it will always be an act of love and an invitation to your growth.
I will be with you to illuminate your darkness, to strengthen your weakness, to fill your emptiness, to heal your brokenness, to cure your sickness, to straighten what may be bent in you, and to revive whatever good things may have died in you.
Remain united to me, accept my love, enjoy the warmth of my friendship, avail yourself of my power, and you will bear much fruit.
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