A Small Test can be a Big One

The very first thing James tells us in his book is:
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

This note is not about enduring hard times in life, going through rough pain, or experiencing drawn out distance from God. All of those things do deserve attention, but at another time.
This note is in regards to other kinds of trials. James tell us when we encunter "various" trials, which includes small ones.
These can be a variety of things, such as a rough day at work, an overload of homework, traffic, or encounters with other people. The last one is one that can occur often when you live with roommates.
Talk about trials. Later in this book, James talks about how dangerous our tongues are, and I think the choice to tame it in these situations is a victory over a "trial," or test.
The choice to not retaliate, words included, the choice to not bring up the past, the choice to forgive, the choice to FORGET, and the choice to rise above sometimes and walk away.
Often times, these small things can seem huge, and when looking at them in reality, we see that it is not that big of a deal. There are far better things to be done with our time.

I have been doing homework since 11:00am this morning, and i finished around 11:00pm. Of course i didn't do it straight through, but it did take forever. I was asked to play Risk, and didn't want to. Of course there were stares of frustration... but I tried to not react... We all do this, on both sides. I gripe at people too much a lot of the time, and receive a lot too.
We have got to stop this, seek out patience, seek out kindness, seek out peace. We need to actually think about what Jesus would do, and not just say it as a cliche.
The first thing James says to us is consider it joy.
Through big trials or small, we should feel this Joy. Look at it as a chance to rise above. Look at it as a chance to use one of our fruits of the spirit, and share that.

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Thank you for reading, if you got through it.
Just something I needed to write and get out.

God bless,

Jacob