The Joy of Trials?

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 develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (NIV).

Trials are not a joy to experience, that's for sure. But the joy comes from knowing God will use whatever He allows the believer to go through for their good and growth. And He designs each trial lesson for each believer according to what He's working on in their individual lives. God has different paths for each believer to travel, so we cannot compare our trials with those of another and say, "Wow, I could never endure that!" That may be true, and God knows that, so He won't give you a trial you cannot bear. He promises to give us the grace we need in times of trial. The apostle Paul sought relief from his trial, his "thorn in the flesh," in 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Jesus replied, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." And Paul's response is instructional for us. He says, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." This brings me to what I think is the primary reason God allows trials in the lives of believers: to keep us depending on Him for grace to live the Christian life. The Christian life cannot be lived by depending on one's own strength, but by depending on Christ every day. Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

I think another reason God allows trials is to develop a believer's character and grow them spiritually. James says trials "develops perseverance." What is perseverance? Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words defines it as to endure suffering. I have to admit, I know in my own life I've grown more as a believer from all sorts of trials than I ever have during times of no trials. Trials have helped me have compassion on others who suffer, have kept me from wondering away from God, have helped me realign my life priorities, and have taught me to trust God in times of trouble when I reflect on how He has delievered me before.

Pastor Michael shared a wonderful passage today that has helped me better understand why we go through trials. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

So, it's comforting to know our trials are not events that "just happen" to us believers, but are temporary, have a purpose in our spiritual development, and are somehow preparing us for future roles in eternity. We may not understand how, at least this side of eternity, but God's word tells us this is so.

Unbelievers don't have these assurances about trials, but believers do, and we can have joy in that.