James is not for me

Brian and I are doing something novel - we are attending a bible study.  For many years, my faith has been eclectic and probably more liberal that the average Canadian church goer.  I have no issue with fundamentals such as "treat others the way you want to be treated"but currently I am not liking the book of James, the book we are looking at in our study group.

One of our assignments was to memorize a verse and I memorized James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God gives to those who love him.

I don't get the whole suffering thing, in fact I really hate it.  I have yet to see the perseverance that James talks about in the first chapter - the perseverance from the testing of my faith.  I am more like the double-minded man, the one who doubts like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  Some days I am confident.

James seems to be a fellow that offers advice - he does not get the gut-wrenching state of a questioning soul.  On the other hand, David the Psalmist does understand.  Psalm 138:7 says "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of enemies, and Your right hand will save me.

I wonder if this will be true for me....