I have a favorite expression. “It’s all good!” I am thinking of changing it though. I really like, “Count it all joy!” much better.
No matter what is going on – good or bad, do you count it all joy? Or do you say, “Why me, Lord?”
Before you can get to the answer of why you, you must understand the purpose of a trial. More precisely, you must understand why your faith needs to be tested.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4
The trying of your faith worketh patience is an easy to understand concept. We know that patience is a good thing. You may want more of it. There are times when I want more of it.
What does it mean to let patience have her perfect work?
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:1-5
Patience worketh experience. When we have to wait on the Lord, we experience God. We experience His love, mercy, and grace.
Experience worketh hope. As we experience God, we come to know more fully who He is. We get closer. We feel His love for us, and we have more love for others. Our hope grows, and so does our faith.
When you let patience have her work, “that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing,” you are completed as a Christian. You have what you need. Matthew Henry says, “the Christian is entire.” Barnes says it is a completion of character.
As the process completes, you will have more fruit of the spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
Not only will you have more fruit of the Spirit in your own life, but also others will experience it as it flows through you to them. They will recognize it in you as the presence of the Lord.
LIFE APPLICATION
Look at your trials as blessings. Count it all joy! Realize that God is stretching you. He’s perfecting you. Let patience have her perfect work.
Consider the list again – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Which those have you seen in someone else? Which one of those could you use more of right now? Pray and ask God to give you more.