James 1:4

New American Standard Version

And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Pastor’s Paraphrase

          When such trials have taught you all the lessons that God intended for you to learn through them, you will then be fully and completely equipped to successfully live for Christ.

 “How does this help me become more like Him?”

          Almost all of our children when they were little would get to the stage where they would constantly ask, “Why?”  Whatever our answer would be, they would again ask, “Why?”  Though we tried to be patient and give each inquiry an answer that we thought they could understand, we would sometimes finally reply in exasperation, “Well, it just is!” or “Because I said so!”

          The children of the Lord often ask our Heavenly Father “Why?” just as incessantly when difficult and painful experiences come into our lives.  At the risk of sounding too psychoanalytical, we think if we can understand why something is happening to us, we feel a little more in control of our situation.  In other words, if we can see God’s purpose in something then we can endure it more easily knowing that the pain is for a good reason.

          Often, we cannot see God’s purpose in difficulties while we are in the midst of them.  When He chooses not to reveal His specific intent for those things He causes or allows in our lives, we are called upon to persevere through them by faith rather than our own understanding of the situation.  This verse, however, gives us great assurance that each of these experiences does indeed have a purpose in the heart of our Father.  Whatever specific purpose each of these experiences might have, the general purpose that they will collectively serve is to teach us, prepare us, and equip us to live successfully by faith.

          After 28 years of some kind of formal education, I have often said in recent years that I am glad to finally be finished with school.  Our education in learning to live more like Him is never finished.  We will not graduate until we are at home with Him in Heaven.  We never take a summer vacation from this learning process of becoming a Christlike disciple.

          So the next time we are tempted to whine “Why?” to the Father, let us remember the truth of this verse from James.  It is all a part of His plan to grow us up in Him.  We may not understand the specific purpose for each painful experience of life but we can know that each one is a part of the curriculum that He had planned for us long before we ever began this journey of faith.  Once again, I would quote the title of a great gospel song, “When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart!”

“How should I pray for Him to change my life?”

Thank the Father that He has a plan for your life that even includes painful times of learning and growing.  Praise Him that He has never nor will He ever abandon you in times of struggle or difficulty.  Pray that He will help you remember always that His presence and care is not based on your emotions or feeling but upon His faithfulness to keep His promises to you.

END