James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: 

To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

James 1:1-3 CSB

Sometimes current events make us look at familiar passages in a new light. With people we know stuck in different countries, or people stuck here who can't go home.

James is writing to people stuck in places that are not home.

Two words stand out here:

"Consider it"

The Greek word used here is a leadership term. 

We get to choose what thoughts are going to lead us.

As we face this particular trial, turmoil for many businesses, work disrupted, study disrupted, fear of the spread of this virus and what that might do, lots of unknowns, what are our leading thoughts?

What is our "consider it"?

James wasn't happy about the situation, but that he knew that trials, the testing of our faith,  teach us something.

Endurance.

You can't buy endurance, or just get it. 

In this trial, in my life what is God shaping in me?

And is my "Consider it" leading me in that direction?

Jesus "consider it", his leading thought, was to do the will of the Father.

#love

#grace

#sunday

#worship

#thisisourGod