full effect

No one enjoys trials…yet God tells us to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds. I don’t know about you, but I have been facing more than usual these days. I always wonder what the writer himself was going through when he penned these words.  James our Lord’s step brother must have experienced some pretty severe trials.  I can’t imagine growing up with a step brother, who was the Son of God…can you imagine…and to make matters worse (maybe it was very beautiful to grow up with someone who was so kind, thoughtful, and sinless!...i don’t think I would have enjoyed that very much…I would have always been getting into trouble, I’m sure)  and then there were the rumors…you know the rumors that his step brother was born illegitimately;  that his mother Mary had been sleeping around and that his how Jesus was born.   I can’t imagine growing up in this home…it couldn’t have been easy.  Many have never realized that Jesus had brother’s and sisters, having the same mother, but a different father. In Mark 6:3 we have four of his brothers listed, and an accounting of his sisters, though not named.  I often have wondered if they liked Jesus? Being around someone who was perfect could get irritating…But I don’t think that is how it was…I think his brother’s and sisters observed his every action and witnessed perfect holiness, patience, perseverance, and a love that could melt ones heart.  I think that is how James was able to write his first letter to us.  He understood first hand what it meant when one falls into various trials.  And he also understood what it meant for someone to count it all joy.  I wish I could have had an older brother like Jesus…can you imagine the example he would have set for us? Especially as he was teased and taunted and looked upon as an illegitimate child by the gossipers of his day…kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk                                                                                                                                                                                                             kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk                                                                               kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkksd                                                   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        Where was i?  yes, counting it all joy…here is what James had to say:  “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 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.” 

It is the phrase “have its full effect” that we often miss.  We get so anxious and impatient when facing a trial, some pressure, some longing, that we give in and succumb to the temptation and miss the “full effect” of what God is miraculously producing in us.  Oh that we could learn to trust God during the trial and even count it all joy…knowing that God is actually working a miracle behind the scenes in our lives…our character.  I like what James goes on to say: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

        Oh, how I love my Lord…and oh how I have missed the “full effect” so many times. I am not so interested in crowns…but I do so desire to stand the test so I can please him…and be more like him…maybe if we begin to count it all joy when the trial starts, we will be able to hang in there and not miss out on this miraculous “full effect”.