Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
How has your relationship with God been impacted by going through a difficult season or situation? Sometimes tough times bring out our faith in God, and other times our faith feels shaken because of the challenges we face. How then can we count trials as joy? In the context of James 1, James was not calling us to put on a smile through every trial or to pretend like nothing is happening. After giving exhortation to consider trials as joy, he gives insight into how that is possible: We ask God for the wisdom and strength to face our trials and trust God’s promise that trials will ultimately produce endurance in our lives.
When we try to handle the challenges of life on our own, we miss the potential for growth. We view our trials as a way to achieve instead of an opportunity to trust God. From the very beginning, people have struggled to trust God in hardship. After sinning, Adam and Eve ran away from God instead of toward Him. This comes naturally to us. It is harder to go to God and share our hurt and shame with Him, but this is the only way to have joy in trials. We will never find satisfaction when we depend on our own strength. But God has promised to give us joy, no matter our experience.
- What struggles are hard for you to share with God? When are you most tempted to rely on your own strength?
- How can you pursue growth in depending on God in the trials of daily life?
- Pray and ask God for help and wisdom to walk through the trials of your life.
