Joy in Trials

Illustration of recent trials leadership and recovery home

Warren Wiersbe writes:

Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker that reads: “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade!” It is easier to smile at that statement than to practice it, but the basic philosophy is sound. In fact, it is biblical. Throughout the Bible are people who turned defeat into victory and trial into triumph. Instead of being victims, they became victors.James tells us that we can have this same experience today. No matter what the trials may be on the outside or the temptations on the inside, through faith in Christ we can experience victory. The result of this victory is spiritual maturity. If we are going to turn trials into triumphs, we must obey four imperatives: count, know, let, and ask. Or, to put it another way, there are four essentials for victory in trials: a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a surrendered will, and a heart that wants to believe.

Oswald Chambers said it is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back.

James, the oldest half-brother of Christ

James wrote with the authority of one who had personally seen the resurrected Christ

The recipients of this book were Jewish believers who had been dispersed

James wrote with a passionate desire for his readers to be uncompromisingly obedient to the Word of God.

He complements Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith with his own emphasis on spiritual fruitfulness demonstrating true faith.

Stand for reading of God’s holy word

James 1:2–8 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Prayer You may be seated

1. Count—a Joyful Attitude

James 1:2 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

emphasis on JOY

emphasis on FALL

emphasis on VARIOUS TRIALS

Hebrews & James 2. Outer Trials (vv. 2–12)

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Potiphar’s wife betrayed him (Gen. 39:1–20), and Pharaoh’s cupbearer forgot him (Gen. 40:23). Still, in God’s plan he became the second most powerful leader in Egypt. After their father Jacob died in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers asked for mercy and forgiveness for their past wrongs to him. Joseph’s inspiring response was, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:19–20). Enduring affliction had produced in Joseph an ability to see God’s greater hand in the malicious intentions of his brothers. God had used trials to make Joseph mature and complete

2. Know—an Understanding Mind

James 1:3 NKJV

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

What do Christians know that makes it easier to face trials and benefit from them?

Faith is always tested.

Testing works for us, not against us

Trials work for the believer, not against him.

Trials rightly used help us to mature.

Immature people are always impatient; mature people are patient and persistent.

God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing

The only way the Lord can develop patience and character in our lives is through trials.

3. Let—a Surrendered Will

James 1:4 NKJV

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

God cannot build our character without our cooperation. If we resist Him, then He chastens us into submission. But if we submit to Him, then He can accomplish His work. He is not satisfied with a halfway job. God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished product that is mature and complete.

God builds character before He calls to service. He must work in us before He can work through us. God spent twenty-five years working in Abraham before He could give him his promised son. God worked thirteen years in Joseph’s life, putting him into “various testings” before He could put him on the throne of Egypt. He spent eighty years preparing Moses for forty years of service. Our Lord took three years training His disciples, building their character.

4.Ask—a Believing Heart

James 1:5–8 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Why do we need wisdom when we are going through trials? Why not ask for strength, or grace, or even deliverance? For this reason: we need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to mature. Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory.

emphasis on ask

emphasis on faith

illustration of victories cr recovery home tying to Jesus

wilderness

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

invitation

prayer