April Week 3 Commission Thursday: Finding Joy in Trials

Finding joy in the midst of trials seems contradictory, yet James 1:2-4 challenges us to embrace this profound spiritual paradox. This reflection explores how our most difficult circumstances serve as catalysts for developing perseverance and spiritual maturity.

The scripture invites us to consider trials as opportunities rather than obstacles—moments when our faith is tested and strengthened. As we navigate life's storms, what matters most isn't the intensity of what we face but recognizing who stands beside us. The Prince of Peace offers not just eventual deliverance, but His presence that transforms our experience of suffering in real-time.

When perseverance completes its work in us, we emerge "mature and complete, not lacking in anything." This promise reveals God's ultimate purpose in allowing trials: our holistic development into the people He created us to be. The journey requires us to "look up" during difficult seasons, focusing on Christ as the author and finisher of our faith, while "looking out" during good times to support others in their struggles.

Remember today that your current trial is developing something precious within you. The same faithful God who began His good work in you will bring it to completion. Whether you're weathering a storm or sailing in calm waters, the invitation remains: fix your eyes on the One who speaks peace not just to the wind and waves, but to our troubled hearts as well. How might your perspective on difficulties change if you viewed them as pathways to completion rather than detours from blessing?

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Commission Thursday
• 0:13 Reading from James 1:2-4
• 0:34 The Christian Paradox of Joy in Trials
• 1:07 Perseverance Produces Maturity
• 2:12 The Prince of Peace in Every Storm

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to Commission Thursday, where we believe that every believer is the light of the world and every believer is the salt of the earth. Today we'll be reading from the book of James, chapter 1, and from verse 2 to 4. And the Bible says Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, wherever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. A wonderful reminder, but also a Christian paradox, because I may love to ask you what joy is there in trials? And the answer to that question, I believe, is one that challenges every Christian in our walk of faith. But let's delve deep into scripture and just try to glean from the book of James the first chapter and those two verses. So James says consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, wherever you face trials of many kinds. That verse in itself reminds us that in our walk of faith there'll be many trials that you'll face. He continues on to say because you know, the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And I believe every believer in our walk of faith will need to persevere because so many things will come our way. So many things that we may not understand, so many things that we may not have a grip of, but we know him, who we have believed, and so, as we persevere on, we'll journey on in faith. The last verse says let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in everything, Reminding us Christians that there is a work to be finished and that work to be finished is one that we may be mature, one that we may be mature, two that we may be complete and, lastly, that we may lack in nothing. I want to encourage you this day. You may be going through a tough time, you may be going through a trial, you may be going through a temptation. Remember that there is a peace that surpasses human understanding, and we who have believed know him who is the Prince of Peace. Remember that there is a peace that surpasses human understanding and we who have believed know him who is the Prince of Peace. And the encouragement this day, in the midst of all that you may be going through, is to focus on the Prince of Peace. Remember it's not about the size of the storm, but it's about he who is in the boat with you. It's about Him who, as we read in Scripture, was in the boat with His disciples and he spoke peace to that storm.

Speaker 1: 2:55

So be reminded, brother, sister, irrespective of what you may be going through, look up, look unto Him, who is the author and the finisher and the perfecter of your faith. Remember the encouragement and the promise in Philippians 1, 6, that he is faithful to bring to completion that good work which he started in you. So you may be going through a tough time or you may be going through a good time. In both this season, god calls us, if you're going through a tough time, to remember of his faithfulness and look up to him. And if you're going through a good time, look out. Maybe there's someone near you who is going through a tough time. So be that light that will remind him that there is one who is faithful, that there is one who is the Prince of Peace, who gives peace in the midst of every storm, he who is the Prince of Peace. So be encouraged brother, be encouraged sister. You may be going through a tough time, but look up to him, who is the Prince of Peace.