James 1 - 5.19.26

SCRIPTURE:  James 1:2 – 4

“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.”

OBSERVATION

Many consider the author of this book to be Jesus’ half-brother, James. Some commentaries say verses 2 – 12 deal with the temptations that God can use to produce Christ-likeness in our life. Later in verses 13 – 17 the temptations are the “un-holy temptations” that come from sin.

Trials and temptations come in various forms and situations. James says, in verse 2, that “whenever” you encounter trials - not an “if” but “whenever.” Trials are inevitable.

APPLICATION

I can safely say that everyone reading this has encountered some sort of trial in their life. Personally, I’ve encountered many life altering events at different times in my life. Some early trials began when I was maybe 4 or 5 when my mom’s boyfriend held me hostage. Then when I was around 7 years old, the courts took me away from my mom. While under their care, I was molested and lived in the foster care system for several years. Afterwards I had emotional seizures from all the trauma. Then several years after returning home to my mom, she was severely burned in a fire she started when, during an OD of prescription drugs, she fell asleep smoking and caught her bed on fire. She spent about 6 months in the hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns, almost died several times, and then had many years learning to walk and function. All of this took place by the time I was 12 - 13 years old. Thankfully Jesus had his hand on my life, the Gospel was shared with me and I asked Jesus into my life shortly before she was burned.

No one can say they have “joy” in the moment a trial begins, however, when we understand the trial can produce perseverance and wisdom, then joy can follow. When a trial begins, is easy for our flesh to creep in and cause worry, not trusting Jesus, or even being angry at God. There have been too many times I’ve allowed the fear to creep in, but God is gracious when I’ve run back to him asking forgiveness. Always remember in the moment of crisis is a choice on how to respond. You can choose God’s direction, protection from something worse, and lean into the Lord or go in the opposite direction. Recognizing the trial can strengthen you will change your entire perspective. It can be a source of motivation and strength.

One small word in this section of scripture was the key of understanding for me about my own attitude towards trials. I can either “let” the trials work in my life or not take that step. The word “let” implies an action on our part. It’s a conscious choice to “let” endurance work with the end results of perseverance, wisdom and maturity. On the other hand, a choice can be made to:

Rebel against them, lose heart or give up - Hebrews 12:5 - “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you.”

Grumble or complain - 1 Corinthians 10:10 - “And do not grumble, as some of them did.”

In choosing to rebel, lose heart, grumble or complain, you can guarantee to have more trials in your life. God desires to mold you to be more like Christ. Each trial and tribulation brings you one step closer to being more Christ-like – that’s if you make the choice to “let” the process mold you.

In Hebrews 12:11 we see what trials also produce  – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” The important part to this particular Scripture is the “harvest of righteousness and peace” are for those “who have been trained by it.”  Again, it’s a choice on our part to allow the trails to shape, mold, and train us to be more like Christ so we can have righteousness and peace.

Trials can also deepen our trust in God. We can witness His faithfulness in bringing us through the trial or we can allow bitterness to creep in which fuels anger against God. I could have chosen to be a bitter person from all that happened in my early life. Instead, those trails caused me to praise Him for His faithfulness. It’s all in the choices we make. Just like God gives us the choice to choose salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we have the choice to let the trials of life bring us closer to Jesus. If we choose to accept the trial’s end result, we can then “consider it all joy” because our faith can grow, we can become stronger, and ultimately be complete lacking in nothing through Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord, I commit my life to you. You are my savior! Thank you for being there with me through all the trials and tribulations in life. Forgive me for the times when I’ve been weak and struggled through some trials. Although trials can be difficult, I take comfort knowing you will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).  With you by my side, I know these trials can be used to strengthen me for your service. Guide me through each event so I can show others about Jesus in my life and glorify your name. I’m so thankful for all of the trials in my life. I consider them joy as you’ve helped me to persevere, and I lack in nothing in you. Praise your mighty name, Jesus!  Amen

- Mary Oberg