This week in Crisis Counsels we are looking at the following passage in the letter of James: 

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

It certainly goes against our nature to “count it joy” when we “meet trials,” but, as we noted yesterday, James is encouraging us to see that difficult times can be the occasion for real spiritual growth. On that theme, he continues, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” The last word in the original Greek in this phrase is ὑπομονή (hupomone), which can also be translated “endurance” or “constancy” or “perseverance.” It is the quality of being able to unswervingly carry on in spite of obstacles and threats. This is a quality we are all pressed to develop during this pandemic! Times of trial are indeed a “testing of our faith” – pushing us perhaps to question God or to lose heart – but if we stay open to God’s Spirit we are finally led to that “steadfastness” of which James speaks. We are strengthened within — and indeed we are seeing this in many members of our congregation! In these trying times, members of our church are persevering in their trust and their service toward God, finding ways to adapt to the present challenges, with even greater zeal for God’s purposes. When this happens, we can indeed “count it all joy”!

If you missed Sunday worship, you can join with the recorded service of either the 9:30 or 10:30 worship hours at live.kentmethodist.org

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