Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
Toxic Positivity is constantly looking on the bright side of situations. It’s denial of the situations that are clearly challenging, complex, and frustrating. ‘Consider it pure joy’ is a call to change our thought process about our troubles. James is teaching us not to deny that we’re struggling. He’s challenging us to look at the trouble as an opportunity to be refined by God.
God uses trials to mature us.
Today, I want to encourage you to persevere! As we dwell in the word of God, our minds are renewed and our perspectives change. We know that troubles and trials will happen. We just need to understand the true purpose of it is to mold us into the image of Christ. When we understand what our struggles are for, we maximize the seasons we’re in. We can see each trial as an opportunity for God to mature us.
Reflect – What areas of your life are you facing the biggest challenges? Are you maximizing the seasons of trials and learning all that God has for you?
