“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 may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:2-5 NIV)
Who of us have not asked the Father to help us grow far more fruit of the Spirit in our lives? How many of us have not wrestled with the notion of "abiding in the Vine" and "waiting for God"? Too often we spout the theory while it is only half-formed in us. Doctrines of life are not life. Ways are not the goal; only the means to the Goal.
God forgive us, and He does. But now, apprehend afresh the reality that the fruit comes by God creating the circumstances conducive to the growth of the fruit. Stop running from these things. if in the end our suffering produces life, peace and a rich eternity, learn to make it your friend.
How can I learn to grow patience unless through delays?
How can I be taught the gentleness of the Spirit unless through hard men?
How can I grow joy unless through lesser joys being stripped away?
How can I learn to abide in heavenly peace unless in war and times of strife?
How can I become loving with God-love unless I am hated and have enemies?
How can I be kind as Christ is kind, unless I am exposed to unkindness?
How can I find goodness abiding in my heart, unless I dwell amongst badness?
How can I be faithful, unless I face fickleness and difficulties that oblige me to walk by faith, not by sight?
How can I control myself by the Spirit’s power unless I face trials and temptations? Unless I see and take the way out God has promised always to provide?
So often we cry out to God for deliverance, when we should be asking Him for wisdom. This is what James tells us – when facing many and diverse trials and temptations, ask God for wisdom in those trials. And know that you are blessed when you face them, because “the testing of your faith develops perseverance, and perseverance must finish its work so that “you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”!
Romans 5:3-4 tells us that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope”.
Jesus, forgive us for asking You to remove all the nasty things, which are the very things You are using to develop the fruit of the Spirit in us. And it is only this fruit that will grant to us eternal rewards forever and ever. Amen.
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