LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Perfection Through Testing
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her complete work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).
No one likes to live in adverse, unpleasant or difficult conditions; we all prefer placid, easy, comforting environments. Many people do really incredible things in order to leave places where they do not feel at ease, where they are not happy, where they think they cannot grow economically, nor as people, nor professionally or spiritually. No!
Many people do not accept to face adversities and avoid them as soon as they have the slightest possibility. And it happens many times, after going back and forth from one place to another, after being in a permanent evasion of those difficult circumstances and places, that finally such people must face insurmountable adversities, impossible to evade.
What is the use, then, of taking shortcuts, if in the end they always have to face the trials and problems of this world? Does life consist, perhaps, in moving to the sound of the music played by the circumstances that surround us? Is the attitude of constantly rejecting and evading trials and sufferings wise? Is there anything really positive in it? Does it help us to grow as Christians and to develop our faith?
The answers to these questions are obvious: No, no and no. There is nothing strange about suffering; it should not surprise or amaze us. On the contrary, the word of God encourages us to accept them in fullness of joy. And the Lord himself explains to us the reason why we should have such an attitude: because when our trust in our Father is tested, we will develop patience; and then we will be better, and we will lack nothing.
(José R. Frontado).