The testing of your faith develops endurance. James 1:2
Hardships are a guarantee in this life. Most of us know this all too well. Yet, despite the difficulties we face, our call to be thankful does not change. Thanking God in the midst of adversity represents one of the most significant ways to rise above this broken world with praise and honor unto God.
The Bible instructs us to consider our trials with joy:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
An older translation expresses, “the trying of your faith worketh patience.” We can be thankful to God in the midst of adversity because He has promised to be with us, to be our help, and to grow us spiritually in the face of adversity. Faith develops perseverance. Trials work in us the gift of patience, and if we truly understood this divine gift of patience (endurance), we would realize that the trials are well worth the gain of such a gift. At this very moment, regardless of the type of trail you face, God’s Spirit is active in you developing this gift of patience. Challenges that lay before you may seem impossible to overcome, and you may conclude you do not have what it takes. But God has used many of your past and present trials to undergird you with His divine gift of patience for what lies ahead. So, do not fret. He has developed within you patience (endurance).
The testing of faith is amazing process. This testing can represent an opportunity that leads to improvement. Challenges to our faith cause us to become bitter or better. The former (becoming bitter) represents one who resents the hardships or the challenges, forgets that God is actually at work in the adversity, and defaults to emotions and thoughts of the flesh. Discouragement easily develops, and the heart of service and worship to God is weakened to superficial activity. All the while, the child of God defaults to mere survival mode instead of life as an overcomer. The latter (becoming better) represents one who faces the hardships or challenges as opportunities to honor God, to reflect His grace and mercy, and to become more disciplined to trust in God’s unseen hand at work. When this process is underway, the child of God grows stronger in his or her stance of faith. And with each passing trial, the faith grows stronger and stronger. This is not in any way a smooth process, but nonetheless a guaranteed success story of faith. For in this process, patience develops. True endurance marks the child of God, the name of Christ is glorified, and His follower stands strong in faith under the pressures of this life.
So, the lesson is rather simple. Consider trials with joy. They can accomplish much in your life. God will grow your character, strengthen your witness, improve your daily trust, and establish you with a resilient faith.
Are you concerned about what lies ahead? Are you fretting the potential challenges before you? Resolve now that you will indeed have what it takes, for God is at work in your adversity making your faith consistently strong and resolute for the purpose of the glory of Jesus.
I realize there are trials all around us. But isn’t it time to stop and thank God? Be thankful in your trials. God is at work.
Blessings.
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