Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Dearly Beloved,
I hear you. You may be wondering how in the world the testing, pressure, and trials of my faith are going to produce endurance and growth into Christ-likeness. Why do I have to be tested to prove I love God? How can grace under fire cause me to want to persevere, and on top of that, I should “count it all joy,” really?
As we endure the pressure we experience from various trials and testing, maturity is being developed in our lives for the purposes of God, the work of the Kingdom, and the encouragement of others. When endurance has its perfect result, you are then perfected and complete, lacking in nothing. I know this is the testimony we all want to have, so let’s begin the journey by counting it all JOY!