By: Juliet Constantine

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3)
 

I still believe that whatever you ask God for, as long as it is within His will, He will give it to you – no matter how long it takes. Patience is one of those gifts that God is willing to give, but not on a platter! You see, if you ask God’s help to be patient, be prepared for trials and tests to dog your steps. The testing of your faith produces patience. It is like all hell broke loose in your life. Trials arise from every side and in the midst of all these; many times you forget that you’ve prayed for patience-a Fruit of the Spirit.

In God’s world, His mathematical system is different from ours; He subtracts when adding. In order to give you patience, the sweet patience you so longs for, God, who sees everything, knows that He must remove some things from you before you can realize the fruit for which you’ve been praying. Like a mirror, He shows you yourself and the unfavorable traits that need to be dropped. You must then take the next step to profit from the revelation.

Trials are not all bad. You can profit from it. Just like risks – proper management can turn them into opportunities - the same is true for trials. Successfully overcoming your trials does produce a Fruit of the Spirit in your life. There are various levels of trails, and each level gets more challenging. If you fail any level, you will have to retake it until you’ve passed. You cannot get to the next level until you’ve successfully passed the previous one.

It is assuring to know that no one is free from trials – not even those who are not Christians. Trials will come to everyone; though the way it is dealt with by the non-believer will be different from the way the Christian should handle it. So, “do not look upon it as something strange, but as the means by which we are to be purified and strengthened.” (IHP pg 257). Count it all joy, James admonished. See it as something you can profit from; not as an unpleasant experience you must face.

Again, we are reminded that “in the future life, we shall understand things that here greatly perplex us. We shall realize how strong a helper we had and how angels of God were commissioned to guard us as we followed the counsel of the Word of God.”( OFC 161.1)

So, the next time you pray for patience, look out for the testing! It will be experienced in traffic, on the job, in the home, and even in the most unlikely places like Church. And remember, the experience can be a profitable one, if you handle it right. Every trial has a reason – it is only for a season! Count it all joy.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being so patient with us, even though we are undeserving of your grace and mercy. Please help us to exercise patience with each other was we all face our struggles in the arena of life. Grant us the strength to profit from our testing, in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

 

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)