Joy in Trials?

For some time my spiritual curriculum has included a lot about the importance of meeting life with joy as I've been brought to such texts as  "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil 4:4) and "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).  This week I've gained greater understanding of this passage in James:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."  - James 1:2-4, ISV

We have been facing some challenges of a political nature in our work, and I must admit I have not really followed the advice in these verses in James.  I frankly wanted to run away from it all like Jonah did.  However, I have hung in there and now that we're beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel, I'm realizing the truth brought out in these verses.  While I still have a ways to go to "consider it pure joy", I have been able to see personal spiritual growth in the way I have handled things and in the support I have received from God - both in my devotional life, and through other people - and this has indeed brought joy. 

While I long for the day when I am so filled with God's perfect love that all fear is cast out (1 John 4:18), I can already see that each time I go through something like this with prayer and active seeking of God's guidance, my faith is strengthened and my ability to face challenges of this nature is increased. While I may not be fully "mature and complete" I definitely see growth and thank God for it.  

I'm learning something about walking through trials.  When I cling to fear, it's like my eyes are shut tight, keeping me from seeing the support all around me.  As I learn to trust and open my eyes through the process, I see more and more of the support that is there for me and it indeed brings joy.

In the case of this recent situation we've been facing, I was given guidance long before the challenges began that has been a touch stone and source of comfort and faith, bolstering my strength and courage.  Various people have also stepped up with words of encouragement and support that have meant so much!  The very fact that I'm seeing this sort of support through these trials shows me that my eyes are more open than they have been in the past. 

As I continue to ponder the idea of endurance, I think of running a marathon.  I expect I am not alone in thinking a marathon is a challenge that I'm not sure I'm up for.  It takes a lot of endurance - and yet, one also hears about the "runner's high" that can be experienced.  It occurs to me that as I face trials in my life, I can experience a spiritual "runner's high" and that perhaps this is what allows me to "count it all joy" as advised in these verses in James.

Father, thank you for the growth I see and for the evidence of your love and care all around me.  While it is still hard for me to "count it all joy" as I go through trials, I am beginning to see the possibility of doing so as I feel the joy that comes from seeing the way you have led and the support you have provided.  While I can't say I look forward to facing trials, I am beginning to understand their value and trust that you are working for my best good and the good of those around me.  Thank you, Father, for your love and guidance and strength!  Thank you for bringing me the lessons I need, even though I don't always greet them with joy and sometimes experience them as painful.  Thank you for working in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure, and for filling my heart with joy as I open more fully to your leading in my life.