Now this is Grandma wisdom
“You can worry or you can trust…you can’t do both at the same time.”
James 1:2-4 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I did not understand what that meant until now.
Now, let me tell you what the dictionary.com definition of the word “understand” -just so you understand what I’m saying
1. To perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend…
After an intense spell of anxiety, I began to consider my current trial as joy. It wasn’t a sudden loss of anxiety; it was a purposeful dispelling of it. Am I going to worry OR am I going to trust? I mean, I claim to trust God everyday. But, isn’t this trial testing that claim? Will it be proven right or wrong?
2. To be thoroughly familiar with; apprehend clearly the character, nature, or subtleties of: to understand a trade.
Well! I don’t know about you, but I am thoroughly familiar with trials. But, I am also thoroughly familiar with the fruit of perseverance. The character of trials of any kind is to put one in a position of choosing a response. Will my response be defeat—and what is the consequence of such a response? The consequence of pressing on is a stronger faith in God and a realization of His Sovereignty.
3.To assign a meaning to; interpret…
How have I interpreted my trial? Often times I interpret them as my failure. The result of that interpretation is depression, anxiety, loss of security, and fear. Most the time, however, at the end of a trial, I’ve seen that God allowed it to happen in order to bring me out of my stale faith and/or to answer long awaited prayers. Yes, what I am saying is-trials are the answers to our prayers. Why do we think God is going to answer our prayers without doing any work in us?
4.To grasp the significance, implications, or importance of…
Clearly Paul is saying here that trials are given to us to develop perseverance so we lack nothing. Can you imagine lacking nothing? No, really. I mean lacking absolutely nothing. What price will you pay to lack nothing? Think of the price God paid to make you whole! Trials are of utmost importance for your spiritual maturity and the depth of intimacy with the Father. Do you think you’re going to mature without growing?
5.To regard as firmly communicated; take as agreed or settled…
Once you find the joy in the midst of a trial, and experience a flood of peace and inner delight even though nothing about the circumstances have changed, God’s love is firmly communicated. There is nothing that trial can do to separate you from that Love and there is nothing the Enemy can do to snatch that joy. Is it hard? Of course! You have to work to “consider it pure joy” because of the faith you have in a God who in all things works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). Yes, your trials are a calling of God according to His purpose.
You are My provider. I am not left wanting. I rest in your comfortable peace, soaking in your living water. I’m walking through the valley, but I will not fear, because you are with Me. You are always with me! You comfort me. Your goodness will continuously follow me throughout my life’s journey until I enter into Your house (Ps. 23). I therefore humble myself under Your mighty hand, so that You may lift me up in Your time. My anxiety is now in your hands, and I know you take it and replace it with the fruit of Joy because You care deeply for me. (1 Pet. 5:6-7). Even now, I rejoice. Thank you.
*Would you rather worry or trust?
You can’t choose both.
