Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials” (James 1:2). Pure joy? Brother James, are you serious? But Peter writes in like manner: “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…but rejoice” (I Pet. 4:12-13).
James suggests the pure joy is in anticipation that trial and affliction will produce in us a mature, “complete” Christian personality, characterized by rich qualities of “patience” and “perseverance” – like tempered steel or prestressed concrete.
Peter’s suggested reason for joy is a bit more subtle: rejoice that you may “participate in the sufferings of Christ.” It is also the special joy of anticipation: “that you may be overjoyed when his (Jesus’) glory is revealed.” Like the muscular agony that anticipates Olympic gold, Jesus compares the saint’s experience to the labor that, when fulfilled, brings the wondrous joy of parenthood.
Trials can bring out the best and worst in us. God intends that they produce joy and patience, but we can greatly frustrate that divine purpose.
Contrast the effect of overwhelming disaster upon Job, and upon Job’s wife. ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ Job replied, ‘You are talking Pke a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said” (Job 2:9-10).
Contrast Naomi and Ruth in the face of heartbreaking family tragedy (Ruth 1:16-21). Naomi whined and griped: “Call me ‘Bitter’ she wailed. “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Nonsense! What an insult to Ruth! She came home with love, loyalty and a converted daughter in law. What could bring more joy than that?
Contrast the misery and bitterness of Jonah with the confidence and poise of Isaiah and his prophetess wife. They both had tough trials (Jonah 4; Isaiah 8 and 20). “God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry?’ I do,’ Jonah said, ‘I am angry enough to die.” Jonah was more concerned for a withered plant and a tiny worm than he was for all the thousands of lost human souls in Nineveh. Jonah was bitter and totally self-centered about his prophetic mission, while Isaiah could see the purpose behind all the trials and problems.
Criticism, or a perceived slight, whether real or imagined, can totally obsess and embitter an otherwise godly person. A vendetta against a supposed enemy becomes a single-minded, almost paranoid, passion – like king Saul, Absalom, Caiaphas, Cain. Like me?
Sadly, we have seen this spirit of nursing hurts and grudges absorb all the energies of a brother as he attempts to get even with someone whom he despises.
A personal confession
One of us has a confession to make. The other day I came home from work late, and utterly exhausted. My partner was away visiting relatives. There was no food in the house, and the supermarket was closed. I was crying inside, feeling very sorry for myself. I felt miserable, lonely, a bitter spirit tugging at my soul. I was hugging my hurts close to my bosom. I realized that the rent was due, and I had had no time to get to the ATM.
There was a knock on the door. It was the landlord. “I thought you might need this,” he said, and produced an absolutely delicious dinner fit for a gourmet restaurant. He mentioned nothing about the rent. He left with a cheering smile. I was ashamed of my bitter spirit, and bent in deep thanks to my wonderful Heavenly Father. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One