James 1:2-4 says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 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.”

The result of trials is wholeness if you will hang on through the tough times long enough for the trial to produce maturity; consider this joy. James is asking us not to consider the trial itself joy, but to remember what the trial is here for and what it will produce should we accept the challenge to allow God to navigate us through it. We also see here that a trial is the testing of our faith.

I cannot help but remember Job and the testing of his faith when a trial comes along. I think often of how God hand picked Job for some of the most devastating faith testing recorded. At first glance it seems cruel and unfair, but as you get to know the character of God, the story unfolds in a glorious way where I can only see how gracious and good our God is. God knew that Job would remain faithful, He is all knowing, so He already knew the outcome ahead of time. He didn’t pick Job and hope he would be okay and make it out alright. He wasn’t wondering what the suffering would do to Job, He knew exactly what was going to happen; and now we have the record of Job’s faithfulness to keep our faith alive when times get tough.

Questions to consider:

What trials have you experienced that tested your faith?

What did you do with the trial? Did you avoid it or did you allow it to work in your life?

What was the outcome? How did you see God at work?

Pray this:

Dear God, Thank you so much for your sovereignty! You already know the outcome of the trials we will all face. We want to trust you with the story of our lives. Help us to continue to persevere through the trials, that we may glorify your name through it all. Thank you for this reminder in James of the joy that is to be produced through the testing of our faith. Help us to remember this end goal of joy in knowing this is ultimately for your glory when a trial comes our way. In Jesus name, amen.

Resources to dig deeper:

Proverbs 31 Ministry has a great study on the book of Job called Suffering and Sovereignty, you can find it here. This study looks deeper into the life of Job over 12 weeks and is great for a group setting or for personal quiet time.

Beth Moore has a wonderful 8 week study on the book of James. You can find it here. This study is done best in a group setting.