“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one of your happy? Let him sing songs of praise.”
Seasons
One of the advantages of living in Britain is that we get to enjoy four distinct seasons. This is not the case for many people who live elsewhere. The season we are living in determines how we live our life. We dress according to the season and live quite differently in each of the seasons. The good thing about each season is that they come and go. Winter does not last forever. So it is with many other things in life. Our life is seasonal. Each season is distinct and we live differently, depending what season we are in. Confusion occurs when the season of our life changes and we refuse to adjust to it.
A number of seasons are mentioned in these verses.
Season of trouble
Difficulties and trials are part of life. Job complained that man is born to trouble in the same way that sparks fly upwards. It is a season that we pass through. It may not be enjoyable and we may not understand why it is necessary. But seasons of trouble can actually turn out for good in our lives if we will allow suffering to produce perseverance, character and hope in us. As Joseph confessed at the end of his season of trouble, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20) Or as the apostle Paul put it, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The positive thing about trouble is that it is only seasonal. Like winter colds, troubles are gone once the season changes.
Season of happiness
There is a time for laughter and happiness. Some seasons of life are so enjoyable that even the grumpiest person has to admit that life can be fun sometimes. Maybe in our culture we are not ever so good at celebrating. But we need to learn how to enjoy the good times. Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy way beyond his contemporaries (Hebrews 1:9), and His followers can enjoy the same level of gladness. Since exhilarating happiness is seasonal, we must learn to make the most of it while we are in it. Don’t miss out on the best things in life while they are available to us in a season of happiness.
Appropriate reactions
Here James teaches believers to respond to each season in an appropriate manner. Are we in a season of trouble? The appropriate response is to pray. Are we in a season of happiness? It is appropriate to sing songs of praise and celebration. Perhaps we are not good at responding to the seasons of life in the appropriate way. I have witnessed people dancing at funerals and arguing at weddings. Such behaviour is wholly inappropriate. How we treat people and help them should also take account of the season they are in. If someone is having a good day, don’t rain on their parade. If someone is suffering, don’t minimize what they are enduring by patronising them. Recognise the season and react appropriately.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
