Trials and Testing (James 1)
12:30 PM
Our Reading: James 1
Stress
is inevitable. It’s not a matter of if, but when, will we encounter
problems, difficulties and trials. Being a faithful Christian doesn’t mean that
we live an easy, everything goes well for us kind of life. Throughout the Bible
we witness stories of God’s people going through all kinds of difficult struggles.
In the book of James, we are not given advice about how to avoid the tough
trials of life, but rather how to respond to those trials with the right
perspective and outlook.
“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.”(v2-4 )
Now
it may seem a strange instruction to find joy in trials. I don’t know of anyone
who enjoys being in the midst of a hardship or difficulty. I don’t think James
means that we are expected to jump up and down with happiness while truly
struggling or suffering. But he did say we can “count it joy” which means we
attach a positive purpose or benefit to that trial. This is a perspective we
may not truly be able to apply until we can view it from the rear view mirror
of experience.
Even
Jesus endured trials and His trials surpassed any that we will know. These
trials were difficult for Him, but He looked beyond what He had to endure and
focused on the joy and benefit He would gain. “looking to Jesus, the
founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the
throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Trials
serve a purpose for they are used by God to impact us spiritually. James tells
us that trials test our faith and teach us to stand. Becoming familiar with the
Word of God gives us knowledge but until that knowledge is used and applied in
the forges of life, we are not refined into the mature Christian that God wants
us to be.
O.S.
Hawkins, in his book called “The James Code” tells us there are two kinds of
trials. “When we are out of His will for our lives, trials of correction often
come our way. On the other hand, trials of perfection come to us when we are in
the will of God.”
So,
when a trial comes, ask if there is something in your life that God needs you
to deal with and repent of. Remember that he will discipline you as your loving
Father because you are His child. But, also realize that you may be walking in
God’s will for your life and God may be using that trial to mature and refine
you. Always, the goal is to make you more and more into the image of Christ. From our greatest hurts and difficulties may come our
greatest ministries. What God teaches you through your trial today may be used
to help someone else going through a similar trial in the future.
“Every
humiliation, everything that tries and vexes us, is God’s way of cutting a
deeper channel in us through which the life of Christ can flow.”- Roy Hession
Trials
should prompt us to seek God for direction. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let
him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given
him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like
a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (v5-6) Not knowing
what the future holds can create fear, anxiety, depression, etc but we have
access to the One who is sovereign over all circumstances and the One who wants
to help us. He asks us to trust that He will see us through. And when we
endure, we will reap eternal reward. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast
under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.” (v12-13)
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