The Road to Lacking Nothing
By Steve Backlund
We do not need a new set of circumstances as much as we need a new set of beliefs. Steve Backlund
James 1:2-4 is a profound passage of Scripture. "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".
The only way we can count it all joy when we fall into various trials is if we know the trial has something that can lead us to a higher way of living - a “lacking nothing” experience. What is this something?
In school, I would love “open book” tests. It was easier to find the answer to a question if I had the textbook available to look through. In the same way, God gives open book (open Bible) tests where He teaches us things (giving us revelation and wisdom in an area), and then we face something to test us in that area. If we do not pass, then we get to relearn those important truths, and we are given as many opportunities as needed before we can pass that test.
Before I share more, I want to make sure we understand this message is not intended to make us passive (by not contending for the promises of God) or to develop doctrines that God sends us trials. We are to pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). As heaven increasingly comes to earth, we will see less trials - less disasters, sickness, premature death, abuse, crime, accidents, and poverty. We certainly are to believe and contend for this.
However, while we are waiting for the full manifestation of the kingdom, we will have unplanned experiences called “various trials”. James gives the seemingly ridiculous direction of considering it all joy when we experience these knowing that the testing of our faith can lead to something mind-boggling good.
Within our trials, there is a test for us - a testing of our beliefs. The trial is trying to speak something contrary to God’s promises. Romans 12:2 says, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind". Within the trial, we are being told something to renew our minds with. That is the test. For instance, a financial trial could be telling us that God is not faithful or a good provider. A family relationship trial could send you the message that your prayers for your family are not working, or that you need to feel shame for how you contributed to the problems. In these types of situations we are tempted to passively agree with these messages. Doing so will strengthen negative strongholds in us like:
Victim mindset
Inferiority
Poverty mindset
Regret
Perfectionism
Pessimism
Unworthiness
Shame
Disappointment
Impulsiveness
Fear
Worry
Again, these negative strongholds are developed by regular mind renewal with the lies being sent to us through the trial.
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James 1:2-4 has such a great outcome - lacking nothing. The only way we can count it all joy is if we know the testing of our faith is an opportunity to develop soul prosperity. "Beloved, I pray that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers" (3 John 2). And once we have soul prosperity, we are unstoppable.
There is no condemnation if we are not “considering it is all joy” right now concerning some trials we are experiencing. We are all on a journey of growing in our trust in the Lord, and this is an exciting truth that the Holy Spirit will increasingly help us to see and empower us to walk in the days ahead. Abundance (lacking nothing) will be the result. This will cause us to become the answer to prayer for multitudes. And that is exciting to think about.