James packs in so many thoughts, commands, etc. into each chapter of his letter it’s hard to focus on just one or two of them. But right at the beginning of the chapter this jumped out at me:
2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
James 1:2-4
And even more than the entire block of thought, this — “consider it nothing but joy…”
What a beginning. And this to a group of people undoubtedly enduring many trials. I admit that even amidst the insignificant trials of my own life, my go to response isn’t what a joy to experience this.
I remember discussions I had with Pam (in light of our health issues) about verses such as James 1:2-4. She’d sigh and tell me, “I’m not there yet, Barb. Not there yet.”
Verse 20: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” In my life sometimes I feel a shadow of God’s anger towards injustice and the consequences of sin. At those times, I cry out to him and express my feelings of rage and helplessness. But often, it is not God’s righteous anger, it is self-righteousness. It is my refusal to release the demand for justice to God and try to claim it for myself. It’s a lack of faith in God’s ability to deal justly with all the things. The next verse talks about humbly accepting the word of God, as it has the power to save my soul. That self-righteous anger is released through forgiveness, which is ultimately an act of faith and humility.
This chapter is always hard to read. I don’t like suffering.
Pam had that same struggle against injustice and suffering.