Written by Jennifer Azubuike

Esther’s eyebrows burrowed into a frown as she reread the passage. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”

“What are you reading?” Jibu spied from over her shoulders.

“It’s the Bible verse I was assigned for the Youth conference.” She replied without looking up from her iPad.

“Cool! Are you supposed to memorize it for recitation? If so, reading from different translations like you have done will not make it stick.” He said as he took a seat beside her.

“No, I am not reciting it. I am supposed to prepare a sermon on it, but it doesn’t make sense.”

“What about it doesn’t make sense?”

“Joy and trials in the same sentence!” Her frustration was evident in the inflection in her voice. “How do I tell people in good conscience to be joyful, happy, and feel privileged when facing difficult times? It just doesn’t feel natural.”

“You didn’t write it, and it’s not your job to make it feel natural. Just preach it!” Jibu shrugged.

Esther gawked at her brother in amazement. “Jibu, I was unhappy when I lost my job last year. And you, when you had your bad tooth back in June, were you joyful? I recall that you cried nonstop until it was removed. I will feel like a hypocrite telling people to be joyful and blah blah blah when I don’t do the same.”

“Sheesh! Then don’t do it. I was only trying to help.” He got up and walked to the kitchen. “Oh, Hi, Mom.”

“What are you two going on about?” Jibu’s mother, who heard their argument but stayed out of it, asked.

“I was helping Esther with her presentation, but she didn’t appreciate my genius idea. She never does.”

His mother chuckled. “What do you know about her job to help her with her presentation?”

“It’s for the coming youth conference, not her job.”

“Oh, should you not be preparing for the conference too?”

“I’m not a preacher. I’ll just be gracing them with my distinguished presence that weekend.” Jibu grinned and moved away from the kitchen before he was unwillingly conscripted into a task, but his mother called after him.

“Call your sister and come back here with her. I’d like to hear your brilliant ideas that she doesn’t appreciate.” While she waited for them, she turned down the stove.

“Yes, Mom?” Esther spoke first as soon as they entered.

“Jibu said you’re struggling with your presentation. What is it about?”

Esther first eyed her brother for tattling on her. “I was asked to prepare a sermon on James Chapter One, but I can’t even get past the second verse.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it doesn’t seem honest!” She exclaimed and went on to share her dilemma.

Their mother opened the verse on her Bible app and read it for herself. “Hmmm, I see what you mean; it does sound counterintuitive. Jibu, what was your idea?”

“I told her to repeat what was written in the verse to her audience and not stress about it. Half the time, I don’t understand what is taught from that pulpit anyway.”

“That was your bright idea?” His mother was half embarrassed for her teenage son, but she sighed. “Okay, Let’s break it down together, shall we? Do you remember when I started teaching you how to prepare my favorite fish stew?” Esther nodded. “How many times did you get it wrong.”

“Oh, I don’t recall.” Esther smiled shyly. “At least two times?” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Alright, maybe three?”

Her mother chuckled. “Six times, to be exact, but each time was an improvement from the last. I remember how frustrated you were and would have given up if I hadn’t forced you to keep trying.” She paused and smiled at her daughter. “Today, you make it effortlessly and have even improved the recipe. In simpler words, James said challenges are opportunities to grow if only you can view them from that perspective. With such a mindset, you will rejoice when trials come your way instead of being sad about them.”

“Mom, how sure are you that is what he was implying?”

“He wasn’t implying it. It is what he said. Did you read verses three and four?”

“I might have, but I was too hung up on verse two to pay attention.”

“Well, do it, and read them out loud.”

“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.” Esther read it twice, the second time much slower than the first. “So you mean if I believe that difficult situations allow me to learn something new and mature, then I will choose not to complain but be patient instead?” Her mother did not respond; instead, she fondly watched her interpret the verse and draw her conclusion. “What if it is a harrowing situation like losing my job?”

“Or a tooth?” Jibu chipped in.

“Losing your job was not harrowing, Esther, but I understand you felt that way. However, after losing your job, you worked hard to get another one. In the process, you mastered interviewing and communication skills, learned how to write good resumes, and became more social and outgoing. Would you say you are the same person you were while you held your previous job?”

“Of course not. Mom, you’re so right! I have matured so much in one year.”

“Good. And Jibu, you lost a bad tooth, which is good, or do you want it back?”

“Nah! I am good.” Jibu waved dismissively.

“Okay, so in summary, a mature mind will rejoice when difficult situations arise, not because of the situations themselves but because it will be a test of their character, the strength of faith, an opportunity to grow, and they know they will come out of it as a better person. Is that clearer?”

“Absolutely! Thank you so much, Mom.”

“You’re welcome.”

The End

until next time, stay lifted!

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