On Trials // James 2:2-4

James 2:2-4 (NIV) | 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.

My brother and I had a rock tumbler when we were kids. We enjoyed putting in rough stones and seeing them come out as beautifully, polished prizes. The procedure in terms of the time and noise required patience, but the end result is worth it. That reminds me of a Chinese Proverb that states, “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a person perfected without trials.”

We don’t like the idea of needed to face difficulties in life…they’re a real bummer! But think about what James wrote when we said we need to consider the trials we face with joy. Why? Because those trials become the friction by which God smoothies out our rough edges. All too often we want our faith to protect us from our trials, but the Lord wants us to know they work to perfect us…not in the sense that we’ll never struggle again but we’ll have the necessary perspective to see them in light of eternity.

If you are going through a tough time fought now, I have a piece of wisdom I’d like to share. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the lesson God might be teaching you. Look for the hope and help available to you in the other side. God is working to get you ready for eternity with Him in heaven. May that little nugget help you see the problem you’re facing now May actually be preparing you for forever. Does that help? I sure hope so.