Bummer! That could have possibly been the attitude of some of the saints to whom James addressed this epistle to back in 49 AD. James, the half brother of Jesus Christ who was a leader in the Jerusalem church and one who was well acquainted with persecution, wrote these words to first century believers. These believers had come to live in Gentile communities after being scattered abroad because of persecution. Yep, that’s right, “Bummer.” Bummer is a slang term that we use today to express frustration or disappointment. James encouraged people enduring persecution to choose joy instead of frustration. “James, you have got to be kidding, right?” No doubt James wrote the letter to help them understand the why and to give them instructions on the how. They tell us that it is easier to go through something when you understand why you have to go through it.

There is a term, “Self Made Man” and it means having achieved success or recognition by one’s own efforts. It means having made it by one’s self (www.thefreedictionary.com). As saints of God, we know anything we have done or will do that is considered successful or good is not done through our own power and strength. It is because of the grace of God working within us and through us. We are women being made or fashioned by the hand of the Father and it is an ongoing process. And how does He make us? He does it through the trials that He allows in our lives. Now back to the text from a different translation: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so that you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way (James 1: 2-4 The Message Bible).

Notice that in both translations it states, when you fall into various trials-when tests and challenges come at you-not if but when! The word when is defined as: at the time that, as soon as or whenever (www.thefreedictionary.com). The when has to do with time. At whatever time in your life you find yourself faced with challenges that come from all sides, count it all joy. Consider it to be a very valuable and important time in your life. Why? Because that gift of testing is tailor made just for you and the purpose of it is to develop patience in you. In other words, that time of testing will help you to grow up, spiritually! Patience is the capacity to tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. Now let’s chat about delay, trouble and suffering a bit.

Delay means that it comes later or slower than expected or desired. You have to wait. It means being put on hold. Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had taken ill so that they sent for Jesus. Jesus was told that the one whom he loved (Lazarus) was sick. But Jesus, upon hearing the news, did not immediately go to see about him; he delayed his departure. He did not immediately go to his aid or rescue. During that time of delay, Lazarus died and was buried. When the Lord finally arrived, he was told that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. No one understood why Jesus delayed his departure, not the disciples, nor the sisters of Lazarus; no one but Jesus. But we know that this delay was so that the ultimate plan and purpose of God could come forth. So, what can we learn from this? Two things that can be learned are that delay does not mean denial and that God is always working behind the scenes in spite of what we see in the natural and are experiencing at that moment. They prayed that their friend and brother would not die, but live. Just because what God has promised us does not come to pass immediately does not mean that it will not. Perhaps He is saying, “Just hold on and wait a while.” You have need of patience. You are not yet complete.

Trouble is defined as extreme anxiety, sorrow, or grief. It is distress, affliction, or need. Trouble is mental anxiety or anguish (thefreedictionary.com). Sometimes the strain of mental anguish can be so intense that immediate help is needed and will cause you to cry out, “Lord, if you don’t help me right now I am going to lose my mind!” Let’s look to Jesus as our example: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.