Reading James (Honestly)

James 1:2-4   Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It's amazing how much God can speak to you in just a few words that were written and inspired decades ago. 
I've been struggling to conjure up the strength to speak to my mountains and make them move as of late.  I just felt like there was a missing ingredient that was keeping my labor unfruitful.  I stumbled upon that missing ingredient in James Chapter 1.

My failings weren't in my efforts or my direction, or even my motivation for that matter.  I realized that I was falling short in the joy department.  And as it turns out not just joy, but pure joy!  I was all up for the trials and finding a way to make a "David and Goliath" moment out of them.  But, I discovered through my study of James that the victory doesn't come with the defeat of your trials, rather, victory is in experiencing pure joy in the midst of them, actually because of them.  James even goes to the point of making it a definitive statement. This decision to count your trials as a joyous occasion is what gives way to wisdom and maturity by way of perseverance.
My course is set to follow the path that God has laid before me, only now I can resist complaining, and sulking along the way, knowing that with each step I can experience pure joy!  What more could you really ask for?

Clint Hudson