“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2–4, The Message)
Pressure and/or testing is painful but purposeful, even though it isn't something we would normally choose. Pressure exposes the truth of our commitment to Christ. It forces us out into the open to live our faith. It refines us. It makes us into something useable. It makes us into something precious, or perhaps we could say more precious.
I like how The Message paraphrases it: So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. It is natural to want to escape pressure. It is biblical to embrace it with patience while God works.
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