A Kick in the Teeth

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

I am sure Walt Disney wasn’t thinking of the Bible at the time, but he did capture the basic idea of what James was saying when Disney said, “A kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Sometimes that is exactly what the doctor ordered.

When you step over into the body building world you will find people who put their bodies through agony. When their muscles won’t give another rep, then, the body builder tells you, to push- push one more time! Make your muscles obey! The result? Pain! Or as Disney put it, “A kick in the teeth…”

But the results don’t stop there. After the pain, there is gain. For the body builder, it is muscle definition. So too for the Christian who endures heavy trials, there is gain also. James said that there would be a patience of faith, a lack in nothing. I believe that this was precisely why Jesus was able to endure that great trial of His.

On Palm Sunday He rode into town as a hero. On Friday He was a criminal, hung on a cross.

On Sunday the crowds threw palm branches before Him. On Friday the crowds threw insults.

On Sunday He was carried by a donkey. On Friday He carried the burden of the world.

All of this He went through with full knowledge of what was to come. Why? Because He counted this great week of trial to be a joy.

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Jesus had the joy of knowing what was on the other side of His trial. So He could count it all joy when He went through the trial. When it was all said and done Jesus lacked nothing.

In your trials know that there is another side. As you go through your trials know that God is doing a work. He is producing patience of faith and is building in you a maturity that will be lacking in nothing. Sometimes the only way to get there may be through a kick in the teeth.

A Few Q’s For You

What are the hard times you are going through right now?


What are the choices you have to deal with them?


Have you asked God to help you?


How is God helping you to get through the difficulty?