When I am under pressure, I want relief. When tested, I just want to be done. Endurance racing mirrors so many facets of life. And when racing, when the trials come - the pain and suffering - I want to quit. Literally (see Pinhoti 100 post.) And to say I am generally happy amidst any trial would be less than true.
This is not God's plan or approach for our testing and trials. When they undoubtedly come (if they don't, we have to ask ourselves, are we actually IN the faith?) James 1 offers hope and a game plan...
Be joyful in them, verse 2. They are necessary to build endurance and create a perfect result, verses 3-4. They are necessary to build our faith, verses 6-8. They impart humility, verses 9-11. They lead to a blessing, verse 12.
Then an important differentiation in verses 13-18... God tests. Satan tempts. God cannot tempt. Trials build up. Temptations tear down. Trials lead to life. Temptations lead to sin, which leads to death. Trials are birthed out of our love and dependence on Him. Temptations are birthed out of the lust and enticements of our hearts. In the end, they are both His to overcome.
Father, may we welcome the trials and testings in our lives. And see them as a necessary means to grow and perfect our faith. Give us grace and courage to defeat the enticements of our hearts that lead to death. We fully trust the work you are finishing in our lives.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:1-18&version=ESV
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