by David Dale
James 1:2-4; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 5:3-5; 8:28
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4
Every one of us goes through the trials, tribulations, and temptations of life. Sometimes these things occur out of the blue – you wake up one morning, expecting a regular day, and are hit with a life changing event. These are the times that make you wonder why this is happening to you or your family. Life is a journey marked by joy and sorrow, triumphs and trials. As believers, we are not immune to the difficulties of life. In fact, the Bible tells us that suffering and hardship are part of the Christian experience. In the letter of James, the apostle calls us to count it as joy when we encounter trials of many kinds. This seems counterintuitive. How could we possibly rejoice in the face of pain and hardship? To understand this command, we must first recognize the purpose behind these trials.
The word “trial” in the Greek comes from the word peirasmos, which refers to an experience that tests the quality of something. In the context of our faith, trials are meant to test and refine the authenticity of our belief. Whether it’s financial struggle, the loss of a loved one, health problems, or internal spiritual battles, these are moments designed to reveal the depth and integrity of our faith in God.
James 1:3 tells us that “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Trials serve a crucial purpose in the life of a believer. They test and strengthen our faith. The result is steadfastness—a strength of character and an unwavering trust in God’s providence. Without trials, we might never experience the growth that comes from enduring hardship with hope and faith.
We often wish for an easy and trouble-free life, but it is through trials that we learn to rely more fully on God. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.” Each trial is a step in the process of spiritual maturity, a process that is both difficult and transformative.
Jesus Himself endured the greatest trial anyone could face—His crucifixion. In Hebrews 12:2, we are told to “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.” Jesus endured the pain of the cross because He trusted in the ultimate purpose of His suffering: the redemption of mankind. His trial, the greatest of all, brought about eternal joy and salvation for those who believe.
In a similar way, our trials have a greater purpose. While they may seem overwhelming in the moment, God is using them to bring about good in our lives. Just as Christ’s suffering led to our salvation, our suffering, when entrusted to God, leads to spiritual growth and eternal Glory.
The difficulty of trials is undeniable. But we are called to trust in God’s goodness and purpose even in the darkest moments. God does not promise us that we will be free from pain, but He does promise that He will be with us through it all. While we may not see the full picture right away, we trust that God’s plan is perfect. He uses trials to shape us, refine us, and draw us closer to Him.
In the moment of trial, it may be difficult to see the end result, but we are called to hold onto God’s promises. The trials we face in this life are temporary, but they are preparing us for something eternal—a life with God forever.
As we face trials in our own lives, let us remember that God is using them to grow our faith and deepen our reliance on Him. While we may not always understand the why behind our struggles, we can trust that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Let us count it as joy, not because the trials are easy, but because we know that through them, God is shaping us into the people He desires us to be. May we remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that every trial is an opportunity to grow in Christlikeness and trust in His perfect plan.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your presence with us in every trial. Help us to see beyond the hardship and understand that You are using these challenges to refine our faith and strengthen our character. Give us the strength to endure, the patience to trust, and the joy to rejoice in Your sovereign work in our lives. We trust that You are good and that Your plans for us are always for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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