“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, 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.”
One might read this verse from the point of view that James is telling his readers to “Toughen up and endure whatever trials come your way. Suffering is part of life and we should learn to live with it. Be steadfast. Be tough and don’t complain!” But I see a much deeper and healing spiritual message in this passage.
His last words, “be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” are telling. From my understanding of Christian Science, I might reword that phrase to read, “see yourself as perfect and complete in God’s image, where there is no lack, where there is no trial to hurt or harm you.”
Every trial is an opportunity to learn something more about God. As our understanding of God grows, we see that there isn’t anything of the so-called mortal world that can threaten us. We are always safe in Spirit.
“Steadfast faith,” is about knowing our reality in Spirit, where there is no lack.
When we know Life in Spirit, we have the understanding and steadfast faith we need to triumph over trials. They become as nothing compared to what we have with God.
Thank you so much for this, Evan, this is really helpful for me this morning with one or two issues that I seem to be facing. I love “They become as nothing compared to what we have with God.”
My teacher Jean Hebenstreit said don’t lISTEN to a lie, learn to live WITHOUT it. Disbelieve a lie, and STICK WITH THE TRUTH
My teacher Jean Hebenstreit said DONT LIVE WITH A LIE, LIVE WITHOUT IT
DISBELIEVE IT. STICK WITH THE TRUTH.
My practitioner often used to say “Be thou a steadfast ray” from hymn 14. This came to me as soon as I read today’s lovely blog. Thank you Evan for always being spot on with your messages.
Amen . I was taught that we are never on trial
– we might be at a trial, voicing/ telling the Truth.
Thank you Evan for your clarity of thought, always so inspiring.
What a lovely shift in prepositions. Thanks. Dawn, for sharing that ides
I like this idea, of our not being ON trial, but being the defense witness, proclaiming the Truth!
Today’s article and replies are— as usual— EXACTLY what I need today !
Thank you, Evan, and every one of my precious SoiritViewers.
I am so grateful to have this powerful community of Thinkers, holding one another up.
Love
Thanks, Evan and everyone.
Past trials come to us to be washed away. I woke up this morning rehearsing several events from the past. All of which were negative experiences.
I’m praying to have all those false experiences washed away.
Good deeds were returned with hate. I’m trying to see the good in these hateful memories.
Remembering how much hate our dear Jesus incurred for all the good he had done, makes me feel like I walked somewhat in his footsteps.
“The good you do and imbody gives the only power attainable.”: Truths like this are enabling me to to see the good in those negative memories. Finding peace knowing that the good done unto others does not return unto us void.
All trials have a verdict. Mine this morning is “Get thee behind me Satan!”
After turning to God, listening for His voice, hymn #139’s last line came to me. “And peace shall crown your joy filled day, Come walk with Love along the way.”
That brings peace to me this morning.
Evan your thoughts today are elevating. I shall be thankful for those trials endured.
“Evil can have no place, where all space is filled with Love”.
I love the short to recall message you give us today Evan.. To have ‘’steadfast faith.’
Sometimes ,in my experience there are things which need immediate spiritual attention but with circumstances around that try to block thinking. I will be recalling ‘steadfast faith’ to halt mortal mind in future !
I too have had painful experiences with people in the past. I can honestly say that I have dealt with this permanently and spiritually by separating the erroneous thought/deed ie personality from Gods individual idea..the real man.
Thank you Dear Evan for spreading tangible ideas every day. This blog helps us all to realise Spiritual growth. I am truly grateful for this❣️
Thank you, Evan, and all contributors – all very helpful and inspiring.
I love the picture – what a beautiful scene. I wonder – : Is the person looking at the mountain ahead of him and pondering – “Am I going to struggle up that mountain agonising each step of the way?” or, “Am I going to go ascend “rejoicing each step of the way”? – or am I going to prayerfully know that I am right now at the top of that mountain, enjoying the wonderful view? ‘ If we start out by knowing we are at the top of the mountain, and stay there, nothing has any power to harm us. This week’s Lesson is a wonderful help in understanding how we need to stay with the truth – on the mountain top . no matter what confronts us.
Wow-Yes! I’m feasting on this nourishing and expanding manna—perfectly applicable to my needs and pathway today. Thank you Evan. And thanks to each responder. Each of you has increased my joy and advanced my adventure this day! And thank you, God, for such clear evidence of Intelligent Love’s—the ONE Mind’s, omni-benevolent omni-action blessing each and every one! And NOW!
Yes, thank you for this Evan. It helps redirect my thought this morning after beginning to rehash trials I had over the weekend.
I am also grateful for this week’s Bible Lesson and for my understanding of substance after struggling with that in the past. It’s truly glorious when the light comes on in thought❣️
Our leader tells us, Step by step will those who trust God find Him to be a very present help in trouble. Many times I just thank God for the many victories he has given me in difficult circumstances. My heart overflows with gratitude..
Loving all blesses -as in the ultimate trial when Jesus Christ’s amazing resolution of love as forgiveness, by separating erroneous actions as not of God’s perfect man, in Jesus’ plea “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
“All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all.” (Scientific Statement of Being: SH468:10-11)
“Truth is an alternative in the entire system, and can make it ‘every wit whole.’” (SH371:30, section IV this week’s Bible Lesson)
Thank you Evan and Everyone! What came to me when I read this was “innocence”. When I first started reading biographies of Mrs. Eddy I remember thinking “Why wasn’t Mrs. Eddy able to avoid the many legal trials she faced?” For example there was a court case in which she was accused of plagiarism in the writing of Science and Health and another legal case in which she was accused of being senile, dying, and unable to manager her affairs. In all of these cases Mrs. Eddy was proven to be innocent of the false claims. Eventually it occurred to me that these trials served to establish, for all time, the truth about these false claims and therefore there was a valuable purpose in Mrs. Eddy having to experience these trials. Similarly when we face trials of different types, that is a time for us to establish our innocence of whatever might claim we are separated from God or don’t reflect God in perfect harmony. Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health:
Trials are proofs of God’s care.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 66:10–11)
It’s comforting to know that trials don’t create the truth or change error into truth. A trial just serves to reveal (prove) what is true and what is not. So any trial we may seem to be experiencing is just an opportunity for us to discover that we already reflect the true idea (Christ, Truth) that is known by God (Life) and maintained in Divine Science (Love)..
Thank you for sharing this excellent perspective !
Thank you Evan
That was what I needed to help me with trials just now.
I am finding It very difficult to keep with the Truth
This sure has helped much appreciated.
Carol.
David I can emphathize with you. I’ve had the same problem and although I have been able to forgive the many wrongs and separate the deeds from the close family member over many yeasr from early childhood through adulthood, I can visualize some so clearly. I still need to expuge the record completely, which is more of a challenge, but I’m working on it.
With God, Spirit we have all and therefore we triumph over trials – very comforting.
Thank you Evan for this very helpful and uplifting SpiritView!
Thank you for this very relevant post on my “appreciation” day!
Thank you Evan, as always for uplifting thought! And thank you Brian, for that last comment about what trials serve to reveal. I have found that to be true on numerous occasions when faced with something I thought I could not handle. Instead turning to the Christ, Truth, I have been sustained by God, ever present Divine Love. We are never alone in these periods of trial.
Thank you Evan. This is so helpful 🙂
Thank you for the day posts Evan, they are greatly appreciated.