"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
When I read this Scripture, I cant help but feel like James is speaking to me. He's saying "Hey, stop pouting because you're having a hard time right now. You know this will be good for you." Reading this, I'm challenged and I also feel understood. According to my study bible, "trials of many kinds" refers to something that breaks the pattern of peace, comfort, joy, and happiness in someone's life. It literally means "to put someone to the test" with the purpose of discovering that person's nature or that thing's quality.
God does not tempt me to turn from Him, that is my flesh and Satan. He does not test me because He thinks I'm not good enough, He tests me because He wants me to be stronger, wiser, and more like Him.
I get to be complete one day because today I feel like crap and I can persevere through faith. In other words, I can accept the weakness I feel, the total loss of control and submissively turn to God for help.
I love my study bible. It defines perseverance as "[the way] a Christian will learn to withstand tenaciously the pressure of a trial until God removes it at His appointed time and even cherish the benefit."
DANG. Tenacious. Cherishing the benefit of multiple days of numbness. Days of sadness and tears that I have no explanation for. He promises me it will be worth it. And my God is faithful.