Apostle Paul writes in the following portion of scripture: “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
I am one hundred percent sure that you have encountered a trial at some stage in life. It could have been related to your family, health, career or a relationship. Trials are some rough patches to go through and the circumstance will often make you wonder – why does life have to be this way?!?! And one of the answers is patience.
Lets break down Paul’s admonition – step one: COUNT it all joy, other versions say consider it all joy, either way, these first few words imply that the reader should take note. To consider something you must first stop to recognize it. Recognizing a trial for what it truly is will aid in having the right attitude as we weather the storm. Next time a trial comes, see it as a growth spurt. Our attitude shouldn’t be “oh great another rough patch! why me God? Instead, we should set our attitude straight and recognize the testing period as a time for growth in some area of our lives.
Step two: WHEN you fall into various trials. There’s no buts, ifs or maybes about this one. Once you’ve signed over your life to live for Jesus, just be on the lookout! Situations will come to test you and reveal your heart. We don’t receive salvation today and attain perfection the tomorrow because life is a process, wherever you are at embrace your place and endure the growth spurt.
Step three: KNOWing that the testing of your faith produces patience. I find it interesting that Paul says the testing of your FAITH, not the testing of your strength or your ability. He didn’t say the testing of your love or your potential – it’s the testing of your faith. Hebrews 11:6 talks all about it being impossible to please God without faith.
I want to say to you that faith is the essence of our relationship with God. Beloved, we can profess we love God but have unbelief in our heart.s We can showcase our gifts and talents and still doubt that God is who He says He is, like oil and water can’t mix, neither can faith and unbelief!
Having faced a few personal bumps myself, I’ve come to realize that each trial I encountered exposed a layer of my heart that exposed how much more faith and patience I needed. And how much more I needed to fix my eyes on God who orchestrated everything to stretch me a little further. It is with this understanding that I encourage you not to despise the sting of the trial but set your gaze on Christ and endure each growth spurt ’cause He’s working out a better you in the process.
💜
What are some key life lessons you’ve learnt from enduring a trial? Share your insight below…
This was solid yes. Through some of my trials, I was able to see just how attuned The Lord is with the big and little areas of my life, and it allowed me to see Him in ways I did not before. No matter the trial, the strengthening of my faith is one thing that continues to ring true.