James 1:2-8

Profiting From Trials

These verses have many cross references listed so take a moment and read through a few: , , , , , .

when James calls us to

When James tells us the testing of our faith produces patience - what does that mean?

Trials back then were the persecutions the Christian Jews experienced. Today it could be a bunch of things ranging from losing your job to severe financial trouble, even illness or relationship troubles. These trials are problems we have little control over. Patience is easy to say but much harder when we think we can not endure or even make it through the trouble in our lives. James knew we would be tested, that is why he said “when you are tested” not if you are tested. The inevitability of suffering through problems is part of our condition. but, consider all these tests joy...

Why joy? Because we can deliberately assess our troubles with the perspective of God’s eyes. Testing refines us, it gives us the opportunity to work at producing something beautiful. That beauty is the increasing trust in the Lord that there are glory days to come.

These outer trials of struggling financially, being separated from your spouse or even experiencing a loss of a family member test our stamina to remain faithful to God.

1. So how can you find joy in the trial you are going through at this moment?

2. Write a short prayer asking God to grant you wisdom. Often you can pray a specific verse of the bible.

3. Do you feel tossed about in the ocean, floundering around without direction? That often means we have lingering doubts and when we doubt we are showing evidence of a lack of faith. Let’s write a short prayer to help our minds to not be ‘double minded”.