Finding a new perspective when life is tough

It is about 50 AD, so after the death of Jesus. James writes to those ‘scattered among the nations’. He urges them to be patient and to persevere during the trials and temptations, to continue to live consistently with what they learnt previously in Christ and to live humbly in God. 

The Apostle’s heart was to bring comfort, to reassure them that they haven’t done anything wrong to be in this situation, but they can still trust God, still rejoice in the things of the kingdom, wherever they are, in all places, and at all times. 

Above all, James is wanting them to get the wisdom of God in this terrible time for their life. Despite what they are going through he encourages them to press on to seek the wisdom of God, and become complete and whole, moving towards living in the likeness of Christ. 

7 times the book of James refers to making us perfect, the true meaning of that word, is whole, complete, living a life of consistency and being authentic. 

Authenticity is choosing heavenly wisdom, trusting God, deciding to listen and do, serve and love others, speak in love, care for the poor, devoted wholly to God, despite the situation of life.  

The two main influences of James’ letter come from the Sermon on the Mount teaching where Jesus introduces us to an upside down Kingdom but also the Wisdom found in Proverbs especially ch 1-9. It is the wisdom of God that we will see come through time and time again.

The Holy Spirit through this book of James says to us this morning, whatever you are going through, no matter how tough …

Consider it pure joy … or

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Hebrews 1 v 2-4)

Now we need to hear James right here. He’s not saying be joyful about suffering, but rather be joyful in suffering, because we know what God can and does do for us through suffering. 

James is not saying to us, pretend your trials are fun. He’s urging us to remember what God is doing in this. It says ‘count it all joy’ or ‘consider’ it joy. He’s not saying how we should feel, but rather how we should think. 

But why am I going through this? That is often the question. James says it is for the testing. He uses the word ‘dokimos’ and it means approval. The word is found underneath many ancient pieces of pottery that archaeologists have discovered. It meant that the pieces had gone through the furnace without cracking: it had been approved. God’s ultimate desire for our life is to bring us through it having stood the test of time and to stand before Him approved, mature in every way in Christ Jesus. Job understood this: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

I’m currently re-reading a classic, ‘Man’s search for meaning’ by Viktor E Frankl. He was a psychiatrist who died in 1997 but a Nazi concentration camp survivor. He lost his parents, brother and his wife all in the camps. How do you survive this? Here is his most famous quote and it is about finding a new perspective: “Everything can be taken from a man except one thing: the last of the human freedoms – this is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

James says this new perspective is productive, it brings steadfastness which is an endurance to remain in the toughness of life and keep your spiritual fervour. Doing so means it will be worth it. For you will be approved.

That is what it means to find a new perspective when it is tough.