Trials and Temptations- James

Below, I have included the passage, this reflection is based upon.
Pure Joy, trials...
Hmm! to think we should consider trials as pure joy. Trials, here, is the same Greek word used for tempted in v. 13. (Verses 2-3 focus on outward difficulties, verses 13-15 focus on the inner temptations to sin.) So both trials and temptations should be considered with pure joy. Joy? And, not just joy, but pure joy. An adventure, knowing that it is bigger than us and there must be more to it than just our sad plight. It works into a larger theme of a story that is not just our own. And this rising action from these trials and temptations will lead us to an ultimate climax and the denoument when we finally go ahh! now I can truly rest in our eternal sabbath (the arms of Jesus.)

In the meantime, resting in the fact, according to God, that faith tests develop perseverance. And, perseverance leads to maturity and completion.
Perseverance- never giving up while maintaining the joy, pure joy.

Maturity- the state of being ready. Hmm! Ready for what? Ready to journey through the refiners fire. Anything truly good is worth working for. We're made to work out all things that come our way. He doesn't send ho hum sameness and guess what we actually don't want it that way. We truly want opportunities to become better, to grow taller. We're not made to just go with the flow, not having goals, and not rising above the level of mediocrity.

Therefore by sticking to the path even when narrow and resistant we move closer to being mature enough for new and more exciting challenges, and then ultimately completion. Completion of this "race." The finish line?... the day we see Jesus face to face. And it is then that He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Though it's not the finish, the end, rather the beginning of life, the way He intended it. And, not lacking anything.

In the meantime, if we lack wisdom then ask Him for it. He gives generously to all without finding fault. Ask, believing (without doubting.) When we doubt we are like the waves tossed about by the wind. Otherwise do not think you will receive. Instead stand firm! Cling to the Rock.

The double-minded are unstable in all they do. Set a goal- Jesus. And let's keep our eyes on Him. It was when Peter allowed himself to look at the conflict surrounding him, that he began to sink. Let's turn our eyes upon Jesus.

How does that play out? For me, it comes each morning when I wake and begin my day with my family. Taking each 15 minutes in light of whose I am. Being consistent,



2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.