Thinking...

I have been thinking about James 1:2-4 a lot lately.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Or

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


These verses have always been special to me. I have had almost the entire 1st chapter memorized since I was 16 but only in the path month of so have they seemed to echo in my head and heart.
"Count it all joy...." really?? He doesn't ask for us to tolerate it or even be grateful for it. He wants us to see whatever we are going through as something to be happy about?? Something we are joyful for???

"... but let patience have her perfect work... that you may be complete, not lacking anything." Patience will make me complete? So that's what I am missing in my life? I see it now... everything I struggle with can be traced to a lack of patience. When I get frustrated, when I'm angry, when I'm discontent, when I'm (fill in the blank), it's all because I'm not being patient.

Wow... it's so simple... and yet I still haven't gotten it down.