Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3, NIV
“Fire!” My brain screamed at me, shooting warning signals to my thighs. Being chased by my dad in a South German field, my feet gave way and I toppled into the angry red coals of a dying bonfire. I don’t remember the pain. But now as I drove my enervated legs back and forth along the sidewalk of a quiet suburban neighborhood, I could imagine. A few more strides and the burn spread to my chest, my lungs begging for air. “Was this worth it?” I questioned the motivational speakers on YouTube who had evoked my desire to run. How could good come from something this bad?
It’s easy to despise discomfort. After all, didn’t suffering begin with the serpent? I’ve heard people declare and decree freedom from trials and it provides the opportunity to think. Casting the theology of declaring and decreeing aside, I want to ask why. Why do we desire freedom from everything uncomfortable? James directs us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds. (James 1:2, NIV) We may glance at “pure joy” and find ourselves unamused, yet the next word should raise the most eyebrows. We are to make this consideration whenever we can. But not without reason. James ends the sentence by asserting that this testing of faith develops perseverance. (1:3)
A year ago in college, I began training with a friend in hopes of running the Chicago half marathon with him. He, of course, being more dedicated, followed through whilst I chose extra hours in bed. In the few days we ran together, however, I learned that momentary pain was necessary for growth. This is reflected in our encouragement of those running a marathon. When was the last time you stopped someone from running one? James continues, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you might be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (1:4) I confess I do not fully understand this verse. How does perseverance finish its work? What is maturity and completion in the Christian walk? Amid the confusion, I think we should drop our eyes down the page. James notes that those who love God and persevere under trial will receive the crown of life. (1:12) Flipping to 1 Peter, we find something similar.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:3-7
It’s confounding how Peter, similarly to James, understands trials as vital to faith. (1:7). The faith which is essential in the Christian walk must be proven genuine. This “proving” is similar to Solomon's words, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” (Proverbs 17:3) In the same way that a crucible or furnace burns impurities from something valuable, God refines our faith. But couldn’t God, in his omniscience, know the genuine state of our hearts without needing trials? I think of the marathon. What ultimately made my friend’s achievement impressive was not running a long distance. It was the amount of discipline and work put into his preparation. God could have, in a snap, conditioned him to run 26 miles. But would it then be that special? Doesn’t genuine growth require struggle?
When asking God for wisdom, discernment, grace, patience, a loving heart, and so on, I know God will give them because they are good. But I do not expect Him to hand these things to me. Instead, I receive opportunities to engage them. He may provide us with the path and the time, but we still have to run. Our strength comes from the coach on whom we lean. But unless we struggle, we won’t move. Paul notes comfort in knowing that God works through everything for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) Why is it then that we lay our frustrations so firmly on the trials?
It’s easy to talk about the health benefits of running after spending considerable time doing it. But when you begin the art of limping along, like myself, it’s difficult to sing praises. But if we believe the painful runs to be for our good, should not our attitude be forward-looking? Hebrews brings a command of its own, stating we are to endure hardship as discipline because we are being treated as sons by God. (Hebrews 12:7) It is to this that we can have joy. I think it is possible to take glory away from God when joy is ours and we instead hold on to bitterness. Of course, as Hebrews notes, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (12:11) Our joy does not have to stem from the pain but from the hope of what is to come.
Paul considers our current sufferings not even comparable with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18) So as I run, my legs on fire, I can squeeze a half smile out knowing that when I’m done, it will have been worth it.
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