“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.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)
A man went to a psychiatrist and complained about an inferiority complex. The doctor listened to him for a while, then gave him a good news/bad news diagnosis: “The good news,” said the doctor, “Is that you don’t have a complex. The bad news is—you are inferior!” (Gary Inrig, source unknown)
The above paragraph is meant to be a joke. It was written to make light of the fact that some people have strong feelings of inferiority. For some, there is even a psychological condition known as an “inferiority complex”, where a person feels inferior to others despite evidence to the contrary. Many people deal with these feelings of inferiority or even inferiority complexes. For Christians, this may morph into feelings that one is inadequate to go to heaven, is never “good enough” for church leadership, or is too weak to overcome Satan’s games or life’s challenges. Have you ever felt incapable and inferior? Have you ever doubted your own God-given abilities? If so, this meditation is perfect for you!
When James wrote his letter to fellow Christians who had been dispersed throughout the Roman Empire due to persecution (see James 1:1), he intended the writing as a sort of manual on being a Christian. He included a variety of different aspects of the Christian life. In the scripture for today, given above, James began this manual with encouragement for those who would “meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). James knew that Christians in the first century were apt to run into persecution and suffering from both Jewish authorities and Roman leaders. James did not encourage these early Christians to hide their faith nor flee the persecution. Instead, James understood these various trials to be “a testing of faith that produces steadfastness” (James 1:3). James believed that a steadfast, sturdy, and tested faith had a great “effect” on a truly faithful Christian. If the person persevered through the trials, he or she became “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). In effect, James believed that perseverance through trials resulted in the truly faithful Christian becoming stronger in faith and more secure in his or her relationship with God.
Where James saw a Christian working faithfully through the trials of life as more perfect and complete, many Christians today work hard to avoid such trials and challenges. Without experiencing trials in life, a Christian will lack a steadfast faith and the courage it brings. By not facing down the trials of life, the sheltered Christian lacks a steadfast and strong faith that results in a “perfect and complete” relationship in the eyes of Almighty God. There is a direct connection between facing times of trial and growing deeper in one’s faith. If you hide your faith, shy away from responsibilities, shirk your obligations to Christ, and run away from painful situations, you will feel inferior. You will never become “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” when it comes to your faith. You will not grow closer to God nor become more steadfast in your beliefs. You will feel inferior and weak in spiritual strength.
Thirty years ago, I asked two people to consider youth leadership in my church at the time. I prayed with them both. I encouraged them both. I supported them equally. One man spent several years as a youth leader and then moved on to other church leadership positions. The other got her feelings hurt and pulled away from leadership and participation in the church. The man faced some serious issues in that growing church. He dealt with a pregnant youth member, two suicidal teens, angry parents, and more. Throughout it all, he persevered and grew in faith. The woman was hurt by some of the things that were said during a heated exchange with parents. She gave up her leadership, pulled back from the youth, and for a long time felt resentment toward a few members. Today, both are still Christians. The man has taken on many roles in the church and has even filled in for an ailing pastor. The woman is still angry and resentful at the “unfair behavior” she faced decades ago. The man is growing strong and steadfast in faith. The woman’s faith is faltering and fragile. She has even been known to stop coming to church for months. The man would never do so.
As drawn from the scripture for today, there is a direct connection between a faith that perseveres through times of trial and a faith that is “lacking in nothing”. A person who has gone through trials and held on tightly to Almighty God has no need for feelings of inferiority. He or she will know how God and faith are strong enough to face any trial, overcome any challenge. If you have feelings of inferiority in your thoughts, maybe you haven’t weathered trials holding on tightly to Almighty God. Maybe those feelings of inferiority arose when you hid your faith or backed away from a challenge God put before you. You can never be complete in Christ, lacking nothing, if you run away from your responsibilities when God wants you to remain trustworthy and true.
If you are feeling inferior thoughts in relation to your faith, ask God for strength. Deal with those challenges and trials in life you have not faced or finished. Don't run away from them. Hold fast to the God who will carry you through. Be strong in the Lord. You will never regret being one who overcomes in the name of the Lord. Those who persevere with God have no need to feel inferior. The truly faithful have their strength in the Lord who made heaven and earth!
The above paragraph is meant to be a joke. It was written to make light of the fact that some people have strong feelings of inferiority. For some, there is even a psychological condition known as an “inferiority complex”, where a person feels inferior to others despite evidence to the contrary. Many people deal with these feelings of inferiority or even inferiority complexes. For Christians, this may morph into feelings that one is inadequate to go to heaven, is never “good enough” for church leadership, or is too weak to overcome Satan’s games or life’s challenges. Have you ever felt incapable and inferior? Have you ever doubted your own God-given abilities? If so, this meditation is perfect for you!
When James wrote his letter to fellow Christians who had been dispersed throughout the Roman Empire due to persecution (see James 1:1), he intended the writing as a sort of manual on being a Christian. He included a variety of different aspects of the Christian life. In the scripture for today, given above, James began this manual with encouragement for those who would “meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). James knew that Christians in the first century were apt to run into persecution and suffering from both Jewish authorities and Roman leaders. James did not encourage these early Christians to hide their faith nor flee the persecution. Instead, James understood these various trials to be “a testing of faith that produces steadfastness” (James 1:3). James believed that a steadfast, sturdy, and tested faith had a great “effect” on a truly faithful Christian. If the person persevered through the trials, he or she became “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). In effect, James believed that perseverance through trials resulted in the truly faithful Christian becoming stronger in faith and more secure in his or her relationship with God.
Where James saw a Christian working faithfully through the trials of life as more perfect and complete, many Christians today work hard to avoid such trials and challenges. Without experiencing trials in life, a Christian will lack a steadfast faith and the courage it brings. By not facing down the trials of life, the sheltered Christian lacks a steadfast and strong faith that results in a “perfect and complete” relationship in the eyes of Almighty God. There is a direct connection between facing times of trial and growing deeper in one’s faith. If you hide your faith, shy away from responsibilities, shirk your obligations to Christ, and run away from painful situations, you will feel inferior. You will never become “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” when it comes to your faith. You will not grow closer to God nor become more steadfast in your beliefs. You will feel inferior and weak in spiritual strength.
Thirty years ago, I asked two people to consider youth leadership in my church at the time. I prayed with them both. I encouraged them both. I supported them equally. One man spent several years as a youth leader and then moved on to other church leadership positions. The other got her feelings hurt and pulled away from leadership and participation in the church. The man faced some serious issues in that growing church. He dealt with a pregnant youth member, two suicidal teens, angry parents, and more. Throughout it all, he persevered and grew in faith. The woman was hurt by some of the things that were said during a heated exchange with parents. She gave up her leadership, pulled back from the youth, and for a long time felt resentment toward a few members. Today, both are still Christians. The man has taken on many roles in the church and has even filled in for an ailing pastor. The woman is still angry and resentful at the “unfair behavior” she faced decades ago. The man is growing strong and steadfast in faith. The woman’s faith is faltering and fragile. She has even been known to stop coming to church for months. The man would never do so.
As drawn from the scripture for today, there is a direct connection between a faith that perseveres through times of trial and a faith that is “lacking in nothing”. A person who has gone through trials and held on tightly to Almighty God has no need for feelings of inferiority. He or she will know how God and faith are strong enough to face any trial, overcome any challenge. If you have feelings of inferiority in your thoughts, maybe you haven’t weathered trials holding on tightly to Almighty God. Maybe those feelings of inferiority arose when you hid your faith or backed away from a challenge God put before you. You can never be complete in Christ, lacking nothing, if you run away from your responsibilities when God wants you to remain trustworthy and true.
If you are feeling inferior thoughts in relation to your faith, ask God for strength. Deal with those challenges and trials in life you have not faced or finished. Don't run away from them. Hold fast to the God who will carry you through. Be strong in the Lord. You will never regret being one who overcomes in the name of the Lord. Those who persevere with God have no need to feel inferior. The truly faithful have their strength in the Lord who made heaven and earth!