Responding to trials, God’s way
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God. James 1:2-5
When trials come to your life, one of the things it reveals is your maturity. The way you react will determine how you handle pressures in life. From the text, the issue is not “if you” face trials but “when troubles of any kind come your way.” Trials may be unexpected or unwelcome but it will be inevitable that you will be facing them. James described trials as “of many kinds.” It means that trials are multifaceted or varied. They can be in the form of financial problems, family issues, job loss, health issues, and persecutions. No matter what type of trials you will be facing, the response God expects from His children is not natural; “Consider it pure joy.” The response is supernatural because it comes from having the wisdom that comes alone from God. Christianity is about life and not just religion. As soon as you surrender your life to Christ, He becomes the source of wisdom. “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). When Job experienced trials, he sought the wisdom that comes alone from God so he would know how to respond properly. “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his” (Job 12:13). Instead of getting uptight or negative when facing trials, a growing child of God will face trails differently. There is an assurance that once trials come, God will accomplish something great in the life of His children. James said that trials can produce perseverance, the ability to endure. God wants to develop His character within you and He will allow trials to come so He could accomplish His purpose. The more you grow in faith, the more you increase in capacity to endure. Life in Christ is not a sprint but a marathon and you need to persevere in order for you to confirm through your struggles that God meant for you to finish well. God’s purpose for your life is for you to “be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This maturity becomes your reality when your faith is tested. Maturity in Christian life provides different perspective when trials come that leads to victory. The Lord Jesus Christ when He was encouraging His disciples as they prepare themselves to face trails in life said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Blessings,
