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(Presented by Lisa Bishop)
What do you do when life gets hard? When your faith gets tested, how do you respond? Do trials in life incline you to distance yourself from God or do life’s tough moments compel you to lean into Jesus? Trials of life will come. At some level we know this, so why do we get so stunned when trials happen? Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:63), and we will too.
If you have been a follower of Jesus for any amount of time you are probably familiar with James’ instruction on life’s trials:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
James is a book about practical Christian living; a life that reflects a genuine faith by being not only hearers of the Word but doers. (James 1:22). If we are honest, sometimes we like to read and hear the Word of God but actively living out God’s instruction, that’s another story. Especially when the rubber hits the road and hardships come. One of the most difficult parts of the Christian life is the fact that becoming a disciple of Christ does not make us immune to life’s trials and tribulations.
Considering it pure joy when you face trials is counterintuitive. Joy is not typically our first reaction to difficulties and challenges. No one likes to suffer, yet as a follower of Jesus, in your suffering, there’s a unique opportunity for God to perfect and complete the valuable character-building work he started in you. God uses difficulties, trials, and persecution to test, strengthen, and grow your faith.
Our faith can get lazy and flabby when times are easy. While I don’t want flabby faith, I sometimes don’t want to go through the refining fire that’s required to purify and sanctify. But, trials are an opportunity for your faith to work – and get a workout. Just like lifting increased weight builds and strengthens your muscles, the heaviness of hard times can build and strengthen your faith when you rely on and trust Jesus.
When James says to “count it all joy,” he encourages us to evaluate the way we look at trials; to develop a new mindset and attitude that considers trials from God’s perspective. Trials test your faith. And when you persevere, grounded in faith in Christ, believing (even when it does not feel like it) that he is with you and working all things for your good, it will be a faith builder.
