GROWING THROUGH TRIALS

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1:2–3 NKJV

REFLECTION

The letter of James deals with the "practical" side of faith, which means trusting God even in times difficulties and crises. Think about the way you have responded to a recent problem or struggle in your life. How would you describe your general attitude during this time? What does your response to this situation reveal about your view of God?

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SITUATION

Like many of the early church leaders, James served under the continual threat of trials and violence. Both the Roman authorities and the Jewish religious leaders had reasons to persecute as many Christians as possible. To the Romans, the Christians were troublemakers. To the Jewish leaders, they were blasphemers. James wrote to his fellow believers in part to encourage them to persevere in the midst of all these trials. He reminds them of the benefits they can expect to receive from hardships and the importance of living genuine lives of faith.

OBSERVATION

Read James 1:1–11 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.

New International Version

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation — since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

New King James Version

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

EXPLORATION

1. How does James encourage his readers to respond to trials?

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2. What does James mean when he says "the testing of your faith produces perseverance" (verse 3)?

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3. How can you gain wisdom to deal with problems?

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4. Why does God want his followers to ask for his help without doubting?

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5. Who does James say should not expect to receive anything from God? Why?

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6. Why does James say those in humble circumstances can be proud of their situation?

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INSPIRATION

When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the oven and thumping it. If it "sings," it's ready. If it "thuds," it's placed back in the oven.

The character of a person is also checked by thumping.

Been thumped lately?

Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. You've-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flatfooted. They aren't big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor ... Thump. Thump. Thump.

How do you respond? Do you sing? Or do you thud?

Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (see Luke 6:45). There's nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature...