“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Character building is necessary for growth and it seems to always come out of the many experiences of simply existing in this world. How do we react to these experiences? I have always said the greatest difference between a Jesus follower (outside of a life changing relationship with our creator) and a non-believer is not that we get to avoid trials, but how we respond to them.
Joseph learned about his future when he persevered through the pit and prison. Daniel and his friends didn’t avoid the fire, they found out they weren’t alone while they were in the middle of the fire. David learned he was an overcomer in the middle of the fight against a great giant.
I often find myself wanting to avoid these places in life, but I have to remind myself that He is building my character so I will not lack anything. His work is greater than my fear.
Read all of James 1 and examine the result of perseverance, there may be a crown in it for you.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knew should bow, in heaven and on earth god the and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
If you just sat for a moment and thought about all that Jesus gave up to make an appearance on earth, it would shake your world. He removed himself from the existence of perfection to knowingly be judged, tortured beyond recognition, and left to die on a cross. He did it all with you in His mind.
When Paul writes this passage in Philippians, this knowledge of Jesus inspires His words. Humility isn’t a strong enough word that defines our God. Paul tells us to have this same mindset. If we could just grab a hold of an ounce of His humility, drastic changes would occur in our lives. How we lived, how we treated others, how we hungered for His presence, how we reacted to life’s ups and downs. I once heard that humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, rather, it’s thinking of yourself less and Jesus certainly painted that picture with His life.
As you go through your day, spend some time asking God to align your heart with His. Ask Him to help you see others and creation through His eyes. It may help put things in perspective and allow you to embrace the same humility that Jesus exemplified.
