Today our reading is the last chapter in the book of James (chapter 5) and the first chapter of the book of 1 Peter. As I read through both chapters one common thread stood out to me. Particularly because it has been the thread that consumed my life over this past year – Patience while suffering through trials.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
James 5:7-8
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in the praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
I Peter 1:6-7
James teaches us that through our patient trusting and turning to God, we will establish our hearts and to be ready for the Lord. 1 Peter teaches us that through our patient trusting, even through trials, we will be refined and matured in our faith.
How do suffering and trials really change us? Peter describes the gold “smelting” process where gold is heated up and impurities float to the surface. The next step in the process is to scoop away the impurities. The result is a purer piece of gold.
The result of our suffering and trials (the heating up of our lives) is to accomplish a purer and stronger character and faith. We have a choice when facing hardships in our life. We can get angry with God that our suffering has no purpose or we can begin to cling to the truth of God’s character. When we come through the trial, we find that our faith has been stretched to several times it original size. As we have clung to God during the difficult time, we now know Him in a more intimate way than ever before.
These verses urge us to show patience and courage because of the nearness of Jesus’ return. We should show a firm purpose and depend constantly on God’s grace. We can find the strength to stand firm because the return of the Lord will bring eternal life and spiritual health. Our belief in the return of Christ can provide us courage to face difficulty. It can give us stamina to endure persecution, suffering, and difficulties.
The picture in this post shows the outward expression of the trials I faced this year. It was injury after injury.
*a broken radius bone near my wrist
*a ruptured flexor tendon in my thumb and subsequent surgery resulting in 3 months of rehab and learning to use my dominant hand again
*3 months of antibiotics and pain from a root canal gone wrong
*a totaled car caused by a tire catapulting off a truck trailer, flying into the front of my car
*a broken ankle resulting in 3 weeks of no mobility
While each trial affected my bodily well-being, what was really affected was my mind. I questioned God when each trial occurred (and those closest to me know there were LOTS of tears!). But each time, as I turned to Him, He refined me. He chose to sit me down (over and over again) to allow me to turn to Him and to Him only. After a year of suffering, I can say without a doubt that I am closer to Him than ever before.
And isn’t that the goal of our life?
And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and become like him in his death. Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with him in his resurrection from the realm of death.
Philippians 3:10-11
The goal of the Christian life is to know Christ. Through our patience in suffering and trials we have the opportunity to mature in our faith.
Thank You Jesus for my year of trials and sufferings.