November 27, 2025
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Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you
may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
It's hard to believe that God would be the grand cause of our trials in life.
While we most often bring upon our own troubles, God will also orchestrate some
of these for His divine purposes. James says they will be trials of
"many" kinds. They will likely be unpredictable and untimely, and yet
still be within the divine will of God for our lives.
James tells us in verse 3 that these trials are actually "testing our
faith". Why would our faith need to be tested if we already believe in
Christ? Well, these tests are not meant to drive Christians away from Jesus,
they are meant to pull them closer to Him. Peter declares that the testing of
our faith refines us and brings glory to our Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
This refining process is meant to strengthen our walk with God and increase our
dependency on Him. We never want to be in a position where we trust our own
intellect, strength, and resources more than God. Therefore, we can be assured
that trials will always amplify our deep need of the grace of Jesus Christ
every single day (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Because there is an increase in devotion during times of trials, there is much
to gain even when it feels like a devastating loss to us. Perseverance is the
fruit that is born during this process. It means to endure with patience and
unwavering loyalty. Are we more loyal to God because of the outcome of our
lives or are we loyal to Him because He deserves such a devotion? Trials will
lead us to that answer.
James seems to imply that this mindset of only trusting God in good times is
linked with a kind of immaturity. That is why verse 4 says that perseverance
has to do its work unto "maturity". A mature person is one who has
learned to be unbothered by distractions and remains committed despite
difficult situations. We can trust a mature person in both easy and difficult circumstances.
In this same way, God is looking to grow this kind of character in us. He does
this over and over until the work is complete in us as James says. He doesn't want us to lack in anything and so by His love, He initiates this ongoing
process of refining.
This then, is God's grand desire: growth. Trials are one of the main ways God
will exact this growth in our lives. He longs to prune us so that we continue
to bear good fruit. John 15:1-8 speaks of this reality. In verse 8 of that
chapter, Jesus states "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much
fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." If you've ever wondered if
God has a purpose to your trials, He does. He is at the forefront of your
heart, creating in you all that He desires to see. He patiently sculpts us until
we become conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for the trials and challenges that have come my way. I see now that you are using these moments as a means of forging my faith into something that is unshakable and unwavering. Teach me to have joy in the pain and help me to grow deeper in my walk with you.