Considering Trials - MS

This evening I want us to look at the the beginning of James. James contains a lot of practical instruction for us in our lives. When he begins the letter we see a jarring introduction…

(ESV) — 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:1–4 ESV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Introduction

Count it all joy when you meet trials? Really? The paradox here in this text is one we see all over the New Testament. It sets the Christians apart from all of the people in the Old Testament and it is what can set us apart from everyone around us today. Jesus himself demonstrated the ability to handle all of the trials He knew awaited Him with a joyful outlook as He defeated the devil with such great faith. That doesn’t mean He enjoyed the pain or that He was happy all the time, but He still had a joyful outlook on His life and the opportunities He had to help those in need. We see Him weep with those who were weeping and rejoice with those who were rejoicing. When He hung on the cross we don’t see Him sin and spout off hateful words like the two beside Him, but He instead revealed the love of God in His plea for God to forgive His murderers. What a paradox!

The book of James contains a lot of practical instruction for us in our lives. When he begins the letter we see a jarring introduction…

Main Point of the Lesson: Why are trials considered a joy to us according to James? Elaborate on the effect of our trials to make us Steadfast and perfect.

The reason why James is writing the letter is to help the dispersed Christians who are going to have to endure many different types of trials in life and be refined by them. He is commanding that we consider those trials to be “all joy.” I want us to consider the full weight of what that means for us. Trials of various kinds test our faith

Count it all joy when you meet trials? Really? The paradox here in this text is one we see all over the new testament. It sets the Christians apart from all of the people in the Old Testament and it is what can set us apart from everyone around us today. If we compare how the children of Israel wondered in the wilderness to Jesus’ ability to handle 40 days in the wilderness we can see the benefit of being like Jesus and defeating the devil with such great faith.

Trials of various kinds test our faith

James 1:2–3 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

(ESV) — 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

The reason why James is writing the letter is to help the dispersed Christians who are going to have to endure many different types of trials in life, be refined by them, and he is convinced that we should consider those trials to be “all joy.” I want us to consider the full weight of what that means for us. What is the effect our trials have on us individually and how can we respond with joy to those trials?

The reason why James is writing the letter is found right there in the first 4 verses. Christians are going to have to endure many different types of trials in life, be refined by them, and consider those trials to be “all joy.” I want us to consider the full weight of what that means for us. What is the effect our trials have on us individually and how should we respond to those trials?

Various Kinds of Trials

(ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

(ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

We all face trials of varying degrees and in different areas of our lives. You may face trials that I have not even considered and vice versa. When I was working in a cubicle all day the trials I faced were unlike anything I ever imagined. I sat all day in a chair and stared at a computer screen reading complicated technical documents that had very little interest to me personally. Give me one more System Safety Specification or Airworthiness Release and I will scream! Maybe you can relate as you have dealt with jobs that test your faith. Mundane, monotonous tasks are not as serious as health issues that no one fully understands, the loss of a loved one, personal issues, family issues, financial issues, and trials with people at your work place, but all of these test our faith in some way.

The first thing we notice is that we all face trials of varying degrees and in different areas of our lives. You may face trials that I have not even considered and vice versa. When I was working in a cubicle all day the trials I faced were unlike anything I ever imagined. I sat all day in a chair and stared at a computer screen reading complicated technical documents that had very little interest to me personally. Give me one more System Safety Specification or Airworthiness Release and I will scream! Maybe you can relate as you have dealt with jobs that test your faith. Mundane, monotonous tasks are not as serious as health issues that no one fully understands, the loss of a loved one, personal issues, family issues, financial issues, and trials with people at your workplace, but all of these test our faith in some way.

The first thing we notice is that we all face trials of varying degrees and in different areas of our lives. You may face trials that I have not even considered and vice versa. When I was working in a cubicle all day the trials I faced were unlike anything I ever imagined. I sat all day in a chair and stared at a computer screen reading complicated technical documents that had very little interest to me personally. Give me one more System Safety Specification or Airworthiness Release and I will scream! Maybe you can relate as you have dealt with jobs that test your faith. Mundane, monotonous tasks are not as serious as health issues that no one fully understands, the loss of a loved one, personal issues, family issues, financial issues, and trials with people at your work place, but all of these test our faith in some way.

The trials these Christians faced in the first century are much more serious than my daily struggle to focus on something I dreaded reading. We read in that they were being drug out of their houses and thrown into prison. They were having their belongings taken away from them and were forced to pay unfair fines for trying to help people see the gospel. Their trials were also similar to ours. Do you think they faced health issues, lost loved ones, had family or financial issues or a different workplace experience because of their faith? They were likely being ridiculed, outcast, and rejected because of their different beliefs. Here we sit in the 21st century having some of the same trials as they did. We feel the pain of being made an outcast because we don’t succumb to peer pressure and we resist the things that all of our friends have accepted as “normal.” The pressure is growing for us to share the opinions of our culture as all of our peers do and that pressure may affect the way we handle our trials. All of the trials that we are enduring right now, from the minor to the serious, are doing the same thing for us as they did for Christians in the first century… Testing our Faith.

The trials these Christians faced in the first century are much more serious than my daily struggle to focus on something I dreaded reading. We read in that they were being dragged out of their houses and thrown into prison. They were having their belongings taken away from them and were forced to pay unfair fines for trying to help people see the gospel.

(ESV) — 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

But their trials were also similar to ours. Do you think they faced health issues, lost loved ones, had family or financial issues or a different workplace experience because of their faith? They were likely being ridiculed, outcast, and rejected because of their different beliefs. Here we sit in the 21st century having some of the same trials as they did. We feel the pain of being made an outcast because we don’t succumb to peer pressure and we resist the things that all of our friends have accepted as “normal.” The pressure is growing for us to share the opinions of our culture as all of our peers do and that pressure may affect the way we handle our trials. All of the trials that we are enduring right now, from the minor to the serious, are doing the same thing for us as they did for Christians in the first century… Testing our Faith.

(ESV) — 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

When you see the word “test”, think about the testing of metals in a crucible to see what kind of impurities lie inside. When you heat the metal up to the point where it is a liquid, it separates from the impurities more easily so that there can be a distinction made between what is good and what is bad.

God, our brethren, the world, and even I myself am watching closely to see what I’m made of as I go through a trial. How deep does my faith go? Does it make up my whole being? Is it just an outward showing? Will I conform to the world and rationalize my wrongs or will I choose to do things God’s way and deal with the consequences?

Testing?

(ESV) — 3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Why does our faith need to be tested? When you see the word “test”, think about the testing of metals in a crucible to see what kind of impurities lie inside. When you heat the metal up to the point where it is a liquid, it separates from the impurities so that there can be a distinction made between what is good and what is bad, what is true and what is false. Testing reveals what is true and false in our faith.

Transition: Everyone is watching me respond to the trial so that they can make a judgment about what I’m made of and what is in my heart. Do I have the grit to endure and hold on to my faith? James tells us to consider these trials something joyful because two things are produced. This evening let’s consider the effects trials can have on us and focus on the two things that are produced by the trials of life.

(ESV) — 3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Proverbs 17:3 ESV

3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Find joy in endurance

Testing of faith is not a pleasurable experience. Trials are not enjoyable. But look back at verse 3 of James again. In all of this testing and refining, James tells us that we are to have joy. These trials can be looked upon joyfully because two things are produced. This evening let’s consider the effects trials can have on us and focus on the two things that are produced by the trials of life: steadfastness and spiritual maturity.

(ESV) — 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Find joy in steadfastness

The first thing we see trails give us is steadfastness. You may have to decide how to respond to a trial in an instant or over many days, but after the choice is made there will be an impact (positive or negative) to myself and those around me. If I have the right mindset about the trial then steadfastness, or spiritual toughness can be produced in me.

(ESV) — 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:3 ESV

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Steadfastness

The first thing we see trials give us is steadfastness. Trials affect us all differently and our response can make things worse or better depending on the type of trial we face and our response to it. We have all made mistakes and made the trial much worse than it had to be. If I have the right mindset about the trial then steadfastness, or spiritual toughness, can be produced in me.

Notice how James doesn’t say that passing the test produces steadfastness. The steadfastness being produced is not dependent on whether I make the right decision or wrong decision in the midst of the trial. Making a wrong decision doesn’t take away from the trial’s ability to produce steadfastness. Often times making the wrong decision helps us more than making the right decisions because it humbles us and makes us rely on God’s grace all the more.

Steadfastness

The idea of steadfastness and failing in trials brings to my mind the steadfast love of God talked about throughout scriptures. The Hebrew word hesed is used multiple times to describe God’s faithfulness and loyalty to His people. It is a key quality of God seen throughout scriptures that shows the unchanging nature of God’s love. is completely devoted to describing this while telling the story of the Israelites being delivered out of Egypt by God.

If only we had someone to help us through the trial… The idea of steadfastness and falling into trials brings to my mind the steadfast love of God talked about throughout scriptures. The Hebrew word hesed is used multiple times to describe God’s faithfulness and loyalty to His people. It is a key quality of God seen throughout scriptures that shows the unchanging nature of God’s love. is completely devoted to describing this while telling the story of the Israelites being delivered out of Egypt by God. Notice how God’s love has been displayed as steadfast over and over again during the trials of His people. Listen to a particular repetition as we read .

(ESV) — 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; 4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; 5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; 6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; 7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; 8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; 9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; 11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; 12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; 13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; 14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; 17 to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; 18 and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; 19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; 20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; 21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; 22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. 23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; 25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1–26 ESV

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; 4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; 5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; 6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; 7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; 8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; 9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; 11 and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; 12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; 13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; 14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; 17 to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; 18 and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; 19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; 20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; 21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; 22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. 23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; 25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

What is more steadfast than the love of God? It is unmoved even though Israel failed miserably at faithfulness was overwhelmingly disobedient. That love is our motivation to persevere through these trials and our trials then circle back around to help us to become more steadfast and unwavering in our faith in God’s steadfast love.

What is more steadfast than the love of God? He has provided us all with so many blessings and He never tires of blessing His children though they test Him over and over again. His love was unmoved even though Israel failed miserably at faithfulness and was overwhelmingly disobedient. He loved them enough to help them through the trials they were facing. That love is our motivation to persevere through these trials and our trials then circle back around to help us to become more steadfast and unwavering in our faith in God’s steadfast love.

We all like to think that we will make the right decision all the time and that is certainly our goal, but that’s not the way James talks about our response to trials. He says that the trials “Produce” steadfastness. Let’s think about what the word produce implies.

He says that the trials “produce” steadfastness. Let’s think about what the word “produce” implies.

Spiritual toughness

Another way to word steadfastness is spiritual toughness. I don’t start out with a lot of spiritual toughness. It has to be produced inside of me as I learn from my trials. The fact that trials are needed to produce spiritual toughness shows us that it isn’t something we all have already. If you look at someone who has endured a great trial and remained faithful you will probably find someone who is very spiritually tough. This is something that we must learn by experience. The more trials I go through the more able I am to withstand the trials that lie ahead of me. This means that in any stage of our walk with God we can find joy in our trial. When we are weak and make a bad choice, we can consider it a joy by knowing that our trial makes us tougher and we need to be tough for all that the devil wants to throws at us.

Another way to word steadfastness is spiritual toughness. We don’t begin our spiritual walk with God with a lot of spiritual toughness. It has to be produced inside of us as we learn from our trials. The fact that trials are needed to produce spiritual toughness shows us that steadfastness isn’t something we all have already. If you look at someone who has endured a great trial and remained faithful you will probably find someone who is very spiritually tough. This is something that we must learn by experience. The more trials we go through the more we are able to withstand the trials that lie ahead. This means that in any stage of our walk with God we can find joy in our trial. When we are weak and make a bad choice, we can consider it a joy by knowing that our trial makes us tougher and we need to be tough for all that the devil wants to throws at us.

Avoiding trials or desiring for the trial to end early is removing the opportunity for the trial to do it’s work on our spiritual toughness and make us grow. Whether I’m hit with a barrage of trials or I get to suffer through a trial that lasts my whole life, I must realize that the greater the trial, the greater the opportunity to become stronger and more patient. Without the trial I will stay weak.

Therefore, avoiding trials or desiring for the trial to end early is removing the opportunity for the trial to do its work on our spiritual toughness and make us grow. Whether we are hit with a barrage of trials or we suffer through a trial that lasts our whole lives, we must realize that the greater the trial, the greater the opportunity to become stronger and more patient.

How should I endure my trials in light of this?

Obviously, I don’t pretend to be happy when I’m not. The fact is that pain and suffering will never be pleasant and acting like it is doesn’t help at all. James wants us to consider it an opportunity to have my faith melted down in a crucible. Overall, I can have joy in knowing that I will come out on the other side stronger than ever as I remove the impurities, and then I can help those who are enduring trials as well.

So should I just fake it till I make it? Are we going to put a smile on our face for the rest of our lives if that’s how long the trial lasts? We can try to do that, but we don’t have to pretend to be happy in trials. The fact is that pain and suffering will never be pleasant and acting like it is doesn’t help very much. James wants us to consider it an opportunity to have my faith melted down in a crucible, and, overall, we can have joy in knowing that we will come out on the other side stronger than ever as God helps us remove what is false in our faith. We will have a stronger faith and be able to cope with the greater trials that lie ahead.

Transition: The ultimate goal of our faith being tested is seen in verse 4.

Find joy in maturing process

Find joy in the maturing process

(ESV) — 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4 ESV

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The full effect

God does not want to see us fall and stay down. When He allows our hearts to be tested He wants us to learn from it and improve. Whether we fail the test or pass the test He wants us to keep getting up over and over again and learning from all of these trials to become more steadfast until we are spiritually mature enough to withstand whatever trial comes our way. Solomon again gives us the picture of a furnace or crucible in .

The second effect we gain from trials is spiritual maturity. God does not want to see us fall and stay down. He does not even want to see us fall at all. When He allows our hearts to be tested He wants us to learn from it and improve. Whether we fail the test or pass the test He wants us to keep getting up over and over again and keep learning from all of these trials to become more steadfast until we are spiritually mature in our character. Solomon again gives us the picture of a furnace or crucible in .

(ESV) — 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 25:4–5 ESV

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

The idea here is that the smith is trying to remove the impurities and imperfections in the metal until it becomes pure and usable for some work that He has designed for it. The impurities make the metal weak or brittle so that it can’t be worked into something useful without breaking. There is an interesting parallel of the king’s ability to establish righteousness being hindered when wickedness is in His presence. In our terms we would say that God is making us spiritually mature and making us into something that He can work with to glorify Himself by putting us in the trial. He can’t work with a weak person who doesn’t get change to accomplish His purpose.

The idea here is that the smith is trying to remove the impurities and imperfections in the metal until it becomes pure and usable for some work that He has designed for it. The impurities make the metal weak or brittle so that it can’t be worked into something useful without breaking. There is an interesting parallel of the king’s ability to establish righteousness being hindered when wickedness is in His presence. In our terms we would say that God is making us spiritually mature and making us into something that He can work with to glorify Himself by putting us in the trial. The dross hinders what He can accomplish because we are weak in faith and haven’t learned from trials and been brought to a level of mature character that will be prepared to accomplish His work.

So, we should let the trial accomplish what it’s here to accomplish… make us into a valuable instrument for the king to use in His kingdom to establish righteousness.

So, we should let the trial accomplish what it’s here to accomplish… making us into a valuable instrument for the king to use in His kingdom to establish righteousness.

Complete maturity that lacks nothing

The whole idea of being perfect and complete may seem allusive to us, but James tells us that the trials of life bring us closer and closer to that goal. How can that be? The perfection and completeness that is talked about here contains the idea of developing into one who is spiritually mature, has a heart that loves God, knows God, and seeks after His will in their life. When we dive into the details of perfection we see a long list of virtues that we need to have to be perfect like we find in .

We feel the obligation to add these things to our faith. In order to do that we have to learn to embrace the process of refinement so that God can work us into instruments that are effective and fruitful in His kingdom. How can we be perfect and complete for the work? Complete spiritual maturity is the goal, and even though we will never get there God is making us more useful along the way. The perfection and completeness that is talked about here contains the idea of developing into a person who is spiritually mature, has a heart that loves God, knows God, and seeks after His will in their life. When we dive into the rest of James’ letter we see a long list of virtues that we need to have to be perfect like “the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God” and “if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.” Have you ever wondered how one can control their anger and their tongue when they are in the middle of a trial? The answer is spiritual maturity as a result of trials.

(ESV) — 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We all wish there was an easy button that we could press to gain all of these virtues. We want to become this pristine gold instrument for God without getting close to the fire, but we have to get in the furnace to get rid of the bad stuff then we have to be hammered on to get in the right shape. We are going to have to deal with the sin, weakness and imperfection that pops up as a result of the trial because we will all make wrong decisions, especially at the beginning of our walk with God. But that should not take away from our ability to grow more steadfast and spiritually mature for the next trial. Making the wrong decision humbles us and makes us rely on God’s grace all the more. Any time you see yourself fail the test and think, “Why?!?!” The answer is spiritual maturity as a result of trials.

I’ve often looked at this text in 2 Peter and wondered how God has made us able to add these things to our faith. I look at that list of virtues and wonder how I can grow like this. We all wish there was an easy button that we could press to gain all of these virtues. We want to become this pristine gold instrument for God without getting close to the fire, but we have to get in the furnace to get rid of the bad stuff then we have to be hammered on to get in the right shape.

The testing of our faith in trials slowly adds all of these virtues in different amounts to supplement the word of God in equipping us for every good work. Peter says that through the promises of God we may become partakers of the divine nature. That sounds like an amazing way to describe one who is growing spiritually mature. We can find joy in this process of improvement and growth if we will make the divine nature our aim in life and humble ourselves to recognize that I’m not there yet. We must want to know God and be more like Him.

Peter says that through the promises of God we may become partakers of the divine nature. That sounds amazing, but how? This idea of having all of these virtues and being perfect, complete, or without fault is unattainable and Jesus destroyed our thinking that keeping commandments was possible when He talked about being perfect “as our heavenly father is perfect” during the sermon on the mount. The admonition in scripture to take heed lest you fall and the continual encouragement to grow and keep putting to death the sin in our lives helps us see that this is a continual process. We have perfection as our aim, but that doesn’t mean we will reach it.

Conclusion - Losing Joy

We feel the obligation to add these things to our faith. In order to do that we have to learn to embrace the process of refinement so that God can work us into instruments that are effective and fruitful in His kingdom. The testing of our faith in trials slowly adds all of these virtues in different amounts to supplement the word of God in equipping us for every good work. We can find joy in this process of improvement and growth if we will make the divine nature our aim in life and humble ourselves to recognize that I’m not there yet. We must want to know God and be more like Him.

It is a struggle to find joy in the middle of trials. My mind only likes to think about one thing and that is getting the trial over with. But after studying James we can see how trials are intended to strengthen us and make us steadfast for our future in God’s service. Knowing that our trials are God’s way of helping us get closer to Him and His perfection provides us with comfort and a better outlook on the life we have in Christ. We can know that the trials do get easier to handle, not because there are less trials or they will be less extreme, but because we will be strengthened (having been refined by them) and brought to greater maturity.

Conclusion - Losing Joy

It is a struggle to find joy in the middle of trials. My mind only likes to think about one thing and that is getting the trial over with, but after studying can see how trials are intended to strengthen us and make us steadfast for our future in God’s service and I hope you see that as well. Knowing that my trials are God’s way of helping me get closer to Him and His perfection provides me with comfort and a better outlook on the life I have in Christ. I can know that the trials do get easier to handle, not because there are less trials or they will be less extreme, but because I will get stronger (having been refined by them).

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