God Sees HerНамуна

It’s an Attitude

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. —James 1:2

Regina drove home from work discouraged and tired. The day had started with tragic news in a text message, then it spiraled downward in meetings with uncooperative co-workers. After Regina prayed, she thought it best to put the stress of the day aside by making a surprise visit with flowers to an elderly friend. Her spirits lifted as Maria shared how good the Lord was to her. She said, “I have my own bed and a chair, three meals a day, and help from the nurses here. And occasionally God sends a cardinal to my window just because He knows I love them and He loves me.”

Attitude. Perspective. As the saying goes, “Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we react to it.” The people James wrote to were scattered because of persecution, and he challenged them with these words: “Consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).

The joy-filled perspective James talked about comes as we learn to see that God can use our struggles to produce maturity.

Anne Cetas