Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 

James 1:2-8

What kind of happiness can we obtain when we face difficult situations in
our lives? Often, when we first encounter trials in our lives, we may feel
happy or sad based on the superficial conditions of what we are facing at
that moment. This is shortsighted. Instead, if we really have our eyes
open and are considering our faith, we should be focused on what is really
at stake in these times of difficulty. It is not what the situation brings to us
but how we face it in our thoughts and actions that is important. We should
think, “Ahh, if we meet this situation head on and follow the Lord’s direction
and commandments well, we can receive a great reward from the Lord. If
we fail and betray our faith in that given situation, we will greatly disappoint
the Lord.” This should make us anxious. Why? At each moment we face
a situation in our lives, our ability to act faithfully will determine if we go
down the path to salvation or not.

When Jesus went to Mt. Gethsemane, he was initially full of joy because he
knew that his sacrifice on the cross would bring the glory of salvation to the
faithful. It was only after he arrived at Gethsemane that Jesus considered
and felt overwhelmed by the difficult task ahead of him. If he failed, all
would lose out on eternal salvation. What a daunting task and great
responsibility!

Would he have the strength and power to die on the cross
without any betrayal in his heart? Jesus sought the help of the Lord and
prayed to be given the ability and power to succeed, even asking if the
“cup” or responsibility could be taken on by another. However, through his prayer of blood and sweat, Jesus received from the Holy Spirit the
additional power and ability which he knew confidently would enable him to
succeed at the daunting task ahead of him. Jesus was then filled with
extreme joy and hope. Jesus’ concern turned into joy through his prayer,
and he enthusiastically went forth from Gethsemane to meet the challenge
of the cross because the Lord had given him the power to succeed.

To follow this example, when we encounter trials in our lives, we must look
beyond the superficial covering of the situation and focus on how we must
think and act. This perspective will initially bring anxiety and concern which
we must address through fervent prayer. Through our prayer, the Lord will
provide us with a power and strength that will enable us to overcome the
trials we face faithfully. Receiving this gift will fill us with boundless joy and
hope. Then the trials we face become a delicious meal for us that feeds
and builds our steadfastness and faithfulness in the Lord. So do not live
judging the surface of the difficulties we face in life based on the faulty
wisdom of this world. Instead focus on how you can follow the Lord’s
direction, pray for the strength to follow that direction, and you will be filled
with joy because the Lord will provide you with more than the power you
need to successfully overcome the trials you face.

Summary
1. Do not consider the surface of hardships we face but focus on how
we can faithfully overcome them.

2. When we are filled with anxiety in our ability to overcome, we must
pray like Jesus at Mt. Gethsemane with tears of blood and sweat.

3. The Lord will answer our prayers and give us the additional power to
face our trials faithfully, and we will be filled with joy to make each
hardship a delicious meal for our faith.

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