I believe that God is passionately invested in developing us into something we could never
become without His direction and intervention. His direction and intervention require transitions. Transitions have a purpose, but they aren’t always easy. In fact they are often
difficult. The purpose of transitions is transformation. And guess what? We choose how we go through transitional times. Give the following a careful read:
“…when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable
opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can. For you know that when your
faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your
endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being
until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.” James 1:2-4
James’ letter is written to the “twelve tribes of Israel who had been sown as seeds among the
nations” through persecution! The King James version calls them “scattered”. Transitions
have often left me feeling scattered. Maybe you’ve been there and done that! Or maybe that is where you are right now. Pulling the curtain back from the above scriptures we find secrets to make our way through difficult and trying times. They are moments for us to own. Here’s what I’m learned.
In scattered times of transition James gives us 2 key thoughts:
1. Rejoice!
Why? Because rejoicing in scattered or transitional times has the potential to stir up
power within us. Rejoicing in who Christ is in us and who we are in Him releases the
power needed to endure such times. But the number one key is rejoicing.
2. Endurance! As endurance grows stronger through rejoicing it releases perfection into
every part of our being. God’s desire to perfect our character is connected to His desire
to transform us. But don’t miss the point underlined in today’s scripture: Trying times
test our faith and that testing stirs up God’s power within us to endure all things if it is
saturated by rejoicing.
Romans 5:3 advances this thought:
“Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence knowing that our pressures will
develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and
proven character leads us back to hope.”
Where to begin? Start by vocalizing gratitude.
Then, take up these 3 Challenges:
Lean into who He says you are as a believer.
Leverage what He says you can do as a believer.
Lead yourself forward in every transitional opportunity to refine your character.
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