Mature Suffering
Meditating on Trials – Part 1

Scripture Reading: James 1:2-4, James 1:12

Key Verse: James 1:2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds

Our key verse for today’s thoughts starts with the word consider. It’s an interesting word, especially in the original Greek language. The Greek word used was “hegeomai,” and has a literal meaning of “to have authority over; deem, think.” In other words, we might say that I have authority over the way I think; the way I deem things to be.

Going back to James, he wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” As we study the original meaning of “hegeomai,” we can rewrite this verse in English: Take authority over your thoughts about trials. The normal way to think about trials is to hate them. The human response to adversity is to immediately pray for relief from it. Our world would think about trials and adversity as enemies to their comfort and wellbeing. However, Christ followers must not allow the flesh—their human nature—to control the way they perceive the world and the circumstances of their lives. Christ followers must “take authority over our thoughts,” and consider trials in a heavenly perspective!

You are not a weak victim to the thoughts that come to your mind. Some of our thoughts are put there by our many years living in this broken world. Some of our thoughts are there because of the evil one—and he is a liar! We must take control of our thoughts, by the power of Jesus’ name! (Continued)

Father, I will consider my circumstances today from your perspective. In Jesus’ name, amen.