Spiritual message from Fr Yacoub:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” James 1:2
Trials are types of tribulations, pressures, and losses; it might seem a bit strange that we count it ALL joy when we have trials. How can we count it all joy? Possibly, we should understand that our life on earth is a training period that qualifies us for heaven; so it’s necessary. Matthew 10:22 says “but he who endures to the end will be saved”, so again, it’s necessary, it’s an indispensable part of our training to prepare ourselves for eternity.
Also, we should understand that various types of tribulations are temporary; one will end and another will come. So, it’s a type of training to deal with many tribulations. It’s important to note that it’s a source of purification, as gold is purified by fire, so the impurities will be evaporated / burnt out when the gold is exposed to high temperatures. So, it melts but the impurities will be burnt out. Purification makes us ready for heaven, it really changes our character, God is concerned more about our character than our comfort. So, it is preparation for us for an important reward, both in earth and in heaven.
It’s very true that we should count it all joy when we fall into various tribulations because it is something necessary for our salvation. Also, if you want to make a tribulation pass smoothly and with no damage, then offer help for those people that suffer tribulation, because there is a promise from the Lord that whatever we do to His children, we will receive back. If we give to the needy people, we receive financial blessing; if we share the burden of people, then the Lord will make our burden lighter. May the Lord open our eyes to understand that the Lord is doing things for our salvation.
Glory be to God Amen