What trials produce

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

Take note of James’ big “because” right here in the middle of today’s passage. He tells his readers to consider their trials as pure joy, but he doesn’t do this without reason.

James has zoomed out and looks at these trials (in all their various shapes and forms) in the bigger context of a life that is being shaped by Jesus. A trial sweeps in like a wave across a shore and it leaves something in its wake: perseverance, maturity and completeness. And for James, seeing this sparks joy.

When we’re in the midst of trials, it can be immensely difficult to see anything but the immediate hardship. The noise of the trial drowns out everything else. But as we walk through our trials, our souls are being molded and bent.

Here’s what James IS NOT saying:

  • Bad stuff that happens to you isn’t really bad because God has some bigger purpose for it
  • You need to pretend trials are actually pleasant and fun
  • Trials always produce only good things.

Here’s what James IS saying:

  • Trials can develop perseverance in us if we respond to them rightly
  • Perseverance is necessary if we’re going to become the people God wants us to be
  • Knowing that we’re becoming the people God wants us to be gives us joy even in the midst of trials.

Trials change us: for the better or for worse. That change is not dictated by the strength of the trial but by the shape of our response. When we respond to trials with joy and perseverance, we experience maturity and completeness.

What do you think suffering produces? What do you expect to come about as a result of your trials?

 

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