when you meet trials...

i have been spending a lot of time reading through the book of james lately. the first few verses are very familiar to me and easy to breeze over, but the lord has been using them to humble me and remind me to trust him.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
(James 1:2-4 ESV)

i don't know about you, but when a trial or challenge come, the last thing i have is joy, and i for sure do not want to wait around long enough for anything to have its full effect. but james is reminding us here that the lord is in control. this situation or challenge (no matter its severity) has been brought to me that my faith may be tested. things revealed. unbelief and idols disclosed. if i remain steadfast in this rather than just trying to escape it, i am going to come out different on the other side. i am going to be healed. i am going to be stronger. i am going to know jesus more. and though the trial may be unbearable or long, i can have joy knowing that i am lack no good thing. in fact this trial is a good thing. so don't just put on a smile and push through because you don't want to look weak.  don't run from the trial because you want it to be over with. meet it. embrace it. knowing that you are going to be different on the other side of it. more like him and more in love with him. fight to keep that in the front of your mind. and fight you will have to do. counting it joy is no easy task.