"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING THROUGH TRIALS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING THROUGH TRIALS"

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

James is a very practical book. In fact, it's interesting that the name of Jesus is not even mentioned in the five chapters.
However, it's all about how to walk with Jesus Christ. It covers so many subjects. It's kind of like a New Testament version of Proverbs.
Today in these two verses, we learn about trials.

1. Trials come to christians.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

There is such joy when one gets saved.
But not long after, a trial or difficulty will come into their lives.
This is always a surprise.
But christians soon learn that trials come to believers, and God intends good through them.

2. Trials are to be welcomed by Christians.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Notice what is said.
Count it all joy.

Not be joyful that there is pain or difficulty.
But rather take joy knowing what God is going to do through the trial.
In other words, take the attitude of letting the trial be an opportunity for joy.
Hang in there, God is going to bless you through the trial.
That's why you can welcome them with joy, and count them as joy.

3. Trials can come in a variety of ways.

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

Just as no two snowflakes are alike, neither are any two trials exactly alike.
Trials come in various shapes, sizes, and colors if you will.
God knows exactly what trial will fit the need in our life to help us grow.

4. Trials are allowed by God for a purpose.

James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

What happens is this.
Your faith is being tested and is being given a chance to grow.
That's the goal God has through trials.
They start out with difficulty, but they end up with a faith that has grown.

5. Trials are an opportunity for us to cooperate with God as we go through the trial.

James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Here's our part.
God chooses the time and the trial or testing of our faith.
What He simply wants us to do is to trust Him, and be patient as He works in our life through the trial
You can see from the verse that it is our faith that is being tested.
Part of the test is simply letting God do what He wants to do.

Questions:

1. Are you going through a trial right now?

2. Have you just come through a trial recently?

3. Can you remember what happened the last time you went through a trial?

4. What did the Lord do in your life through that trial?

5. If you are in a trial, I encourage you to let God do what He wants to do.

A Prayer:

Father, how kind, loving, and gracious You are. Thank You that You want to grow us up in our faith.
We don't like it when a trial comes, but once we realize what is happening then we know, okay, God is at work, and I want to work with Him, and let Him do whatever he wants to do. Father, may that be the prayer and attitude of our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia