Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
“Let endurance have its full effect.”
Those words struck me this morning.
Quite frankly, I’d like to short-circuit the process. Can’t we just skip to the part where we’re mature and complete, lacking nothing?
Not according to James. Only through enduring trials will we become that way.
But this isn’t an endurance that is based on the building of our own strength.
It’s an endurance that comes as we learn to lean more on God and his strength.
The mature and complete person doesn’t live a life independent of God.
The mature and complete person has learned that they can’t make it on their own. That they desperately need God. And in the end, they learn what Paul did.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Father, I don’t like trials. When I go through them, I just want them to end as soon as possible.
But if those trials can teach me to lean on you and your strength, if I can learn that your power is made perfect in my weakness, and if you’ll walk with me through the whole process, then I’m willing to do so.
Make me mature and complete. Make me like your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 