“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” – James 1:2
Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:11-16 and James 1:2-4
There are two errors that people can have about the Christian life. The first is thinking that Christians have a trouble-free life that is always lovely. They expect happiness and no pain or sorrow. The complete opposite error is thinking that the Christian life is full of grief and gloom as they drudge through troubles on earth and look forward to the hope of glorious heaven afterwards. Do you see the errors with these two ideas?
The truth is that God is gentle with new Christians. He allows them to experience remarkable answers to their prayers, see amazing providences, feel the depths of His love easily and see the fruits of the Spirit at work in their life. This can seem like a trouble-free life; but then, trouble comes.
God wants Christians to mature. As they can bear more, God allows them to experience both ideas that go against His truth and influences that discourage them. The purpose of these painful troubles and sorrows is to build Christians’ character, strengthen their faith and prepare them to help others. God, the Father, is pained when His children are hurting and comforts them. He shields them from experiences that He knows they cannot bear. There is joy in going through sorrows because Christians grow into a deeper knowledge of God and a closer fellowship with Him. The Christian relies less on themselves and clings more to God. Yes, the Christian has joyous hope for heaven, but they also have joy for today as they rejoice in the Lord always.
Suggestions for prayer
Ask God to correct lies that you believe and replace them with His truth. Ask Him to encourage and comfort you in the pain and sorrow you are experiencing right now.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com