Verses
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Thoughts
When I’m suffering, the last thing I think of is joy. Here James calls it “pure” joy. A refined form of joy. Holy Joy!  Hebrews 12 it mentions joy as well. In reference to Jesus it says: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” There was something on the other side of the cross that made the suffering worth it all. You.

The Bible promises something on the other side of our trials too. It’s patience. Some days I feel like I’m a pretty patient person. Other days I lose it when my three year old spills his milk. I would venture to say that we all could use more patience. But honestly what is so special about patience? In this verse it says that: “if we let patience finish its work in us we will be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. Now I like the sound of that! Jesus wants to take all of our broken pieces and put them back together. He wants to mold and shape us so that we are complete. He is not our tempter but He will use what was meant for our harm and work all things together for our good.

The idea of molding and shaping makes me think of this verse. Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” Do you know what happens to the clay before it can even be shaped? All the air bubbles have to be kneaded out of it. If there are any bubbles the clay will explode in the kiln. These days I often feel like I am being kneaded. Yes, many other people are facing severe suffering. But God is just. He looks at the heart and doesn’t compare my suffering to others. Jesus joins all of humanity in our suffering. The Bible calls Him a man of sorrows and familiar with grief.

My prayer during these trials is that my faith will be strengthened. That my character will be purified from imperfections that are destructive and compromise the integrity of my life in Christ.

This quote has been above my kitchen sink for years:

“Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.” Elisabeth Elliott

He is a good Father, He is close, He is in control and He holds you in His hands.

Father, I pray that we will be like clay and let You use this present time to mold us and fill us with Your peace and joy!