Wisdom in the Middle of Trials

One of the last books in the New Testament is a letter written by Jesus’ brother James. He wrote to a group of Jesus’ followers who were experiencing the spectrum of life’s hardships. The Jesus followers had scattered to the corners of the Roman world because of ongoing conflict in Israel. The second sentence of James’ letter sets the tone for the rest of the letter. “Count it all joy, … when you meet trials of various kinds,” and “blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trials.” I don’t know about you, but I feel that “counting it all joy,” and “remaining steadfast,” are MUCH easier read about than done! There are a variety of trials addressed in the letter. Some were relationship trials such as partiality and preferential treatment. Some trials were rooted in disobedience to the principles laid out. Some had to do with the interchange between faith and “works.” Misuse of the tongue, fighting, not praying, or praying with wrong motives, jealousy, boasting about plans, and the behavior of the wealthy, round out the roster of trials. How does a Jesus follower “count it all joy” and “remain steadfast” under trials? One word – WISDOM. James encourages those who he commands to “count it all joy” and “remain steadfast” under trial to ask for WISDOM. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV) Every one of us is “UNDER” a litany of trials. “Trial” could be the 2020 word of the year. James encourages and commands those under trial to ASK GOD FOR WISDOM. Start today, start right now, while you are reading this - ASK GOD FOR WISDOM. You might have heard me or someone else say, “Each of us is either just coming out of a trial, in the middle of a trial or headed into a trial.” That is the nature of life! ASK GOD FOR WISDOM.