“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.” James 1: 2.

Any trial can be a joyous experience if your perspective is right. Unfortunately, the anticipation of sorrow and trouble often casts a shadow over our greatest joys. The book of Job reminds us that trouble is inevitable: “Man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7.

We all dream of a perfect environment of comfort and tranquillity. Although any temporary rest from trials may lead us into believing we might find permanent exemption from them, our lives in this fallen world will never be without them. We can live in a fool’s paradise, never forecasting any trouble and predicting a future of ease, but that is fantasy. Christ warned His disciples and all who follow in His footsteps to expect trials in this life (John 15:18-16:6). What ought to sustain us in the midst of them is our faith in God, knowing He is working all things out for our good and His own holy purpose (Romans 8:28), and that we will have victory over them through God’s presence (Psalm 23:4).

The book of James was written to help believers endure their trials. In James 1:2-12 James discusses the reason for trials, the appropriate responses to trials, and the result of trials.

Trials are tests that reveal the genuineness and strength of one’s faith (James 1:3), and therefore apply to believers as well as unbelievers. If you consistently persevere through trials and never abandon your trust in God, then you prove to have genuine faith.
Be encouraged!

By A.Othniel