Wise In Whose Eyes?

^2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. ⁵ If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. James 1:2-5 The Voice

The Christians of James day had faced many trials and persecutions. Some experienced difficult and sometimes life threatening challenges daily. When you see trouble coming, your first response is to run as fast as you can in the opposite direction or fight back. Fight or flight is an natural human response. James is trying to encourage these believers that patient endurance will bring ultimate joy and final victory. If you feel you just don’t have the patience and wisdom for this journey , ask God, who will grant you wisdom and patience to finish the race.

Wisdom comes with age. Wisdom comes from experience. Wisdom comes from the counsel of others. Wisdom comes with patience. “Yes” and “No” to all of the these. In my 79 years, I have suffered many challenging and heartbreaking seasons. I have been counseled by pastors, seasoned Christians, and professional counselors, who have all imparted wisdom from books and their personal experiences. Some have been very helpful and others just added more doubt or fear depending on the situation. Those who pointed me to scripture and God’s wisdom were the most helpful. Only God can give me the strength to patiently endure in my most difficult struggles. Only God can give me wisdom to see beyond to struggle to my eternal destination. Only God can help me look back and see all the ways His wisdom had protected me and prepared me for the next trial. NO, I do not look forward to tests and trials, and I’m still working on patient endurance, but I know His wisdom with patient endurance is best and will lead me to eternal peace and joy in Heaven!

Thank You, Jesus, for patiently enduring the most tragic and painful trials while on earth,, that You might not only understand my heartaches, fears and trails, but You know exactly what I need to face and endure those times patiently, knowing that finishing the race will make it worth it all.