Have you been persecuted? Have you been made fun of because of your faith in Christ? Have you been left out or uninvited because of it? Have you been beaten for it? Have you had your house demolished or your church burned because of your faith in Jesus?
Few of us in the western world have suffered beatings or demolishing of property because of our faith. Many of us have faced ostracization because of it. Persecution for our faith is common, even if we do not see it. We have become immune to it or hardened by it.
If we spend time thinking about it, nearly every one of us can think of a time we have been left out because of our faith, or we remember having not spoken of our faith for fear of being made fun of, or we do not change our behavior as faith requires for fear our friends will notice a difference in us, or we do not stand up for someone else, or we are the one who suffers being ostracized. There are many situations or circumstances in which we are persecuted without even acknowledging it. We have become blind to it.
There are others in this world who are beaten, stabbed, shot, tortured, and killed for their faith. Some have suffered their homes being destroyed after they were physically dragged from them. Some has witnessed their church building being burned to the ground. Some have been thrown in prison on false accusations or simply because Christianity is against the law of their country.
James tells his audience those who persevere through such trials are blessed. He is not talking about persevering through trials of two-a-day football practices but the trials of our faith. When we stand in our faith and withstand the persecution others shower upon us (even our friends at times), we are blessed by God.
I pray we all stand strong in our faith. I pray we withstand any persecution that comes our way. I pray each one of us turns to God when facing trials and ask him to strengthen us to withstand them. Hold on to your faith. Persevere through trials. Turn to God for strength. Know that God will bless you.
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Marty Pressey 