The first thing I did when I was reading these verses was go online and look up the passage in as many other translations as I could find. I like doing that when I'm reading Scripture because most of us have grown up reading the NIV Bible. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but seeing especially common verses over and over again can diminish their impact over time. That's why I find it eye-opening when I read familiar passages in other translations, seeing how the same words can be conveyed with new meaning.
Most of the translations were quite similar in the way they worded James 1:1-2. One that particularly stuck with me was worded as such... "When you face hardship of any kind, consider it an opportunity for joy." Opportunity. A chance to do something.
When tragedy, problems, stress, etc. strikes, many times our first instinct is to panic. And that is not our fault. God made humans with emotions and those emotions usually do what they want. That's what sin has done to mankind. So when I say that our first reaction to trials is a negative one, that implies a lack of a choice. The decision to panic was made before we could even think about feeling anything else. So how, then, can we consider hardship an opportunity for joy?
Maybe we can't choose -- at least not right away. But once our mind and body have recognized a problem--a trial--we do have a choice. We can let ourselves run away with it, get worried or angry or sad or frustrated. OR... we can do what might not be so easy. We can fall to our knees in prayer to our Father and ask Him to give us happiness, despite what might be happening in our lives. Ask Him to show us an opportunity, the chance to see the circumstance with joy. Because when the world seems to be crumbling around us, it's our last thought to smile. Sometimes we simply want to be angry or hurt because that's the easiest thing to do. Yet what does God tell us time and time again? "My grace is sufficient for you..." (2 Cor. 12:9) He has proven Himself faithful, since the beginning of time, and so He will always be. His past promises are guarantees for the future, and worthy reason to continue crying out to Him.
We all know our Lord never said this life would be easy. But asking for His help is as easy as breathing. So when trials of life hit us, let's do the easy thing -- sit down and have a heart-to-heart with our Daddy.
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That's great that you're looking for new and fresh ways to read the verses - like studying the footnotes in your Bible. I am using one of hubby's commentaries (Kretzmann's) - during my study also, which goes into major description of almost every other word in the passage! It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI also appreciated how you said to choose joy as an opportunity. Anything good we do comes from God, but in our Christian walk we need to be disciplined in also making purposeful choices, in this case choosing joy over anger, stress, etc.
It's not about being self-righteous or practicing works righteousness at all; it is choosing the right thing in response to the goodness and love of our Lord and Daddy :)
Love you!
Courtney (or anyone else, too :), I think you would love the book called Psalms Now. Have you heard of that? I got it at the MLC bookstore when I was there, but I have seen it in many other Christian bookstores in MI, too. The woman wrote the psalms, paraphrased in her own words. The NIV (or KJV, NASB) psalms are so beautiful on their own, but this book puts them into a modern language that makes me cry at times, because I connect more immediately with them. The psalms already address the workings of our heart and apply to every age, but she makes them come alive in a modern way. It has encouraged me to meditate more on them (from the Bible) and paraphrase or put them in my own words. I thought of the poet in you and your interest in gleaning meaning...
ReplyDelete"considering it an opportunity"--this is something I found myself praying for--to first of all recognize trials/temptations when they come. There are so many small ones that come up daily. Small moments where I can choose to ponder and say, NO. This is not a good use of my time. Or, "You know. I could take time to talk with this person or I could rush to the gym or home to start homework." Or controlling my thoughts. Choosing to consider it joy--this day, a gift from God, filled with whatever he puts in it. Or choosing to think the best of someone when it seems they don't care or have intended to hurt. For me, it often comes down to selfishness. I need God's Word, prayers and encouragement to be reminded to put God first in all things. And to recognize trials for what they are. Opportunities to love God and others. So true.
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