Consider it pure joy!

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.

James 1:2-4

Sometimes I cruise through life, everything clicking along just as it should. Ministry flows smoothly -- great communication, team filled with passion, impact huge! The kids get along -- playing together, supporting one another in word and action. The house is clean. (Ha! Never.)

Without warning everything explodes into a million little pieces. I speak, intending my words to say one thing, but no one hears it that way. Suddenly I'm in conflict with a friend -- or my husband -- and I have no idea how I got here. I misread an email and get hurt. The kids decide they really don't like each other after all, and suddenly I'm in raging maniac referee mode, completely ineffective to nurture them in God's love and grace.

Can you relate? One day, life is great. The next day, you're hanging on by a thread, wondering if you'll survive.

I often remind myself to "consider it pure joy whenever I face a trial of any kind." You know, grit your teeth, girl. Get through this. It's a trial. God's gonna pull you through... My broken toe, for instance, is a trial I'm not really enjoying. It's been three weeks since I broke it and it still hurts immensely. It snapped completely in two, so I know it will take a long time to heal... but I'm not all that good at waiting. I'm frustrated that I can't exercise like I had been. What joy is there in this, I wonder. The verse just doesn't seem to "work" -- I'm still angry, frustrated, hurt.

The comfort doesn't come from the command, though. The comfort comes in the verse that follows: testing leads to perseverence and perseverence leads to spiritual maturity. Ooooooh, now that's something I long for. Spiritual maturity. I know I have a long way to go, but I look forward to the day when miscommunication doesn't make me feel insecure or afraid. I will recognize that miscommunication is simply that. Nothing more. How incredible it would WILL be when my kids' arguments don't suck me in, but instead, God uses my response to lead them closer to spiritual maturity.

Of course, I'll never arrive. I'm human. But I look forward to the day anyway...

Dear God,
I'm amazed that every single trial I face, you already know. You know my heart breaks sometimes. You are there to see me through -- each and every time. Thank you for writing it all down in the Bible so I can find the answers. Thank you for listening to my prayers and guiding me through each situation I face. Forgive me when I forget that you have the answer, instead wallowing in my hurts. Lead me. Guide me. Grow me. Help me attain spiritual maturity - whatever it takes.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen