The Christian Approach to Struggle and Difficulty

INTRODUCTION

As we begin looking at this passage, it is good to be honest about what life is often like for the Christian. Life can be very hard. ⏸️ Some experience seasons of ease, but for many of us, struggle and difficulty are constant companions.

This reality is often obscured by self-help pastors and prosperity teaching within the American religious scene. They use Christian language to promote a gospel of health and wealth, while ignoring the true gospel of Jesus Christ—the gospel of redemption from sin, death, and the devil. Yet Scripture is clear: the Christian life is marked by struggle. We wrestle with the consequences of our own sin and foolishness, the sin of others, and the brokenness of a fallen world filled with disease, disaster, and death.

Last week, Pastor Cedric opened Hebrews 2 and reminded us that suffering is not foreign to God’s saving work. In fact, it stands at the very center of it.

Hebrews 2:9–11 “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the captain of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.”

If suffering stands at the center of Christ’s saving work, then we should not be surprised that suffering also shapes the saving work in our lives. ⏸️

Have you ever wondered about the purpose of a hurricane? It is a massive vortex of wind and water, with storms stretching for miles, winds reaching nearly 200 miles per hour, and devastating power rivaled only by earthquakes. Hurricanes appear to leave nothing behind but destruction. In my research, I could find few tangible benefits. At best, we might say they remind us of the Fall, our frailty, and God’s overwhelming power.

What hurricanes certainly are, however, are trials—and in that sense, they mirror our own lives. We all experience “little hurricanes” in our lives—storms that pass through and leave behind disappointment, discouragement, and loss.

With that reality in mind—with storms, suffering, and trials as part of life—we turn to James 1:2–8, where God speaks directly to how we are to respond when the storms come. James shows us the Christian approach to struggle and difficulty—an approach that seems strange to the unbeliever and even to some believers. In verses 2–4, we see that we are to embrace life’s trials with joy, and in verses 5–8, that we can endure trials only with God’s wisdom. ⏸️

EMBRACING LIFE’S TRIALS WITH JOY (vs. 2-4)

James begins this passage in a way that immediately gets our attention: we are to consider it joy whenever we encounter trials of various kinds.

At first, we might ask, What kinds of trials does James mean? Scripture makes clear that these trials come in many forms, touching every part of life.

The Spiritual warfare that was the scene of Job’s trials.

The persecution for our faith - Matthew 5:11–12

Adults and teenagers alike know this struggle. The pressure to remain silent about Christ, the mockery of faith, the misuse of God’s name—these are real trials. Teenagers, do not assume your parents are immune to this. I have faced it since my first job at fifteen, and it continues today. Stand firm and do not waver.

3. There are also trials resulting from our own sin and foolishness as Galatians 6:7–9 teaches.

There are tests of character—ethical decisions at work, temptations toward dishonesty, moments where partial truth feels easier than faithfulness. Even here, God is sovereign. He allows such trials to teach us wisdom, to draw us away from sin, and to make us holy, as He is holy. Remember Hebrews 2:11 “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”

4. There are also trials that arise simply from living in a fallen world: loss of employment, financial uncertainty, illness, and the death of loved ones—a parent, sibling, spouse, or child.

And it is precisely in the middle of these very real, very painful trials that James gives his command to respond with joy. This does not mean happiness. Happiness is emotional and circumstantial. Joy is an attitude of the heart rooted in God Himself and a fruit produced by the Spirit. ⏸️

Why should we respond this way?

James 1:3 “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

To understand why joy is even possible here, we must lift our eyes beyond ourselves and look to Christ. His life was marked by loss, rejection, betrayal, denial, and abandonment. Though perfect, He was accused of sin. Though He healed and gave life, His death was sought. He was beaten and crucified for speaking the truth—that He is the Son of Man. Yet He now sits at the right hand of God.

He endured all this so that He might sympathize with you in your suffering and make you holy through it, bringing you to glory.

James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

When you think of perseverance, think of a palm tree. After a hurricane, everything may lie in ruins—homes destroyed, cars overturned—yet the palm tree often remains standing. Why? Some species have taproots that reach deep into the ground, sometimes up to sixteen feet.

So it is with us. Trials buffet us from every side, and we often do not understand why. But God uses these storms to produce perseverance. The testing of our faith drives our roots deeper into Christ. Like strength training in the gym, endurance is built through resistance. ⏸️

And James does not leave perseverance undefined. He tells us exactly where it is leading...to maturity in faith and life. The Greek word for mature or perfect that is used in verse 4 is the same word used in Hebrews 2:10 of the purpose of Christ’s sufferings. His suffering was for the purpose of making him our perfect high priest. Our suffering is for the purpose of making us perfect in conformity to Christ. ⏸️

Each trial addresses a different area of our lives until God’s work is complete in us. Imagine a jigsaw puzzle. Each piece must be placed correctly for the picture to be complete. It takes time and patience, but the end result is worth it. This is how our Father works in our lives. Each trial is a piece He uses to conform us—individually and as a community—into the image of Christ.

We can only view trials with joy when we take our eyes off the trial itself and fix them on the Author and Finisher of our faith.

James not only teaches us our attitude toward trials, but also how we are able to endure them.

ENDURING TRIALS WITH GOD’S WISDOM (vs. 5-8)

James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” ⏸️ Enduring trials does not come from positive thinking or denial. It comes from prayerful dependence on Christ. It is in Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James assumes we lack wisdom—and we do. Human wisdom is insufficient. We need divine wisdom. It is folly to think we can endure trials on our own. The question is whether our belief in dependence on God is merely theological or a lived reality.

What is this wisdom? James explains later:

James 3:17–18 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

This is not abstract wisdom. This is wisdom meant for real life. Do you want to know how to withstand the situation you’re embroiled with at work, school, or in your family? Don’t be hypocritical, but sincere, peace-loving and considerate.

One piece of wisdom that can apply to many situations comes from Proverbs 16:21–24 “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” ⏸️

Remember with me our Scripture reading from Proverbs 2:1-10. We are told there that we are to listen to wisdom from God’s word, we are to call out for insight, and search for it as we would for buried treasure. It is then that we understand the fear of the Lord and find divine knowledge. Notice also that the Lord, our God and Savior, stores up wisdom for the upright. It’s like the Lord is in heaven eagerly waiting to give us wisdom from His storehouse. When we ask from God, He gives what we ask and wisdom comes into our heart and knowledge to our soul.

Yet James is careful to warn us that how we ask matters. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” The word that is translated as “believe” can have many different nuances and meanings depending on its context. It can refer to belief in Christ or the corporate faith in our Lord. Here it refers to confidence and assurance. If you want wisdom, Scripture teaches that we must approach the throne of grace in full confidence, boldly, believing that He will grant wisdom. Our Father does not reward a double-minded person who doubts His goodness.

James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” At the heart of doubt is not confusion—it is divided loyalty. ⏸️ It is his unwillingness to draw near to God, to trust that God is fully who He says He is.

Brothers and sisters, perseverance requires a single-minded focus on Christ. We endure trials by coming boldly to the throne of grace, confident that our Savior delights to give us what we need. Wisdom stabilizes our lives, directing us in godliness and faithfulness.

CONCLUSION

Brothers and sisters, God has a purpose in every trial, even when it feels like a hurricane has left nothing but destruction. He lovingly uses trials to make us mature and complete, firmly rooted in Christ.

This is why we can face trials with joy—because they are instruments God uses to shape us for eternity.

But this work requires godly wisdom. Therefore, we must continually kneel before our Lord Jesus Christ, asking for wisdom, discernment, and understanding, so that our lives may follow the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Notice how the entire Godhead is involved in your endurance: The Father appoints the trials, The Son supplies the wisdom, And the Spirit applies that wisdom to your heart and life.

So, in every situation, look to heaven for wisdom from above, trusting that Christ eagerly gives what you need when you come to Him in faith.

In closing, hear these words:

When sore temptations encompass you around, Kneel at the dear Savior’s feet; He who was tempted can show you the way All of life’s testing to meet. Amen.