Trials

James 1:1-8 WEL James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes, which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2 My brothers, consider it all joy when you find yourself surrounded by various trials.

3 Know this that the testing of your faith brings about endurance.

4 Let endurance have its full, complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, then ask the God, who gives to all profusely and doesn't scold, and it will be given to him.

6 But one must ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 Do not let that person think that he will receive anything from the Lord.

8 A double minded person [is] unstable in every way.

Some translations have temptations instead of trials.

The Greek word is πειρασμός peirasmós (Strong’s G3986) and means adversity, hard things to experience, temptation depending on the context.

It makes no difference if the word is temptation or trial, because both are difficult experiences.

Can any good come from these trials/temptations?

Is not God in control?

The answer is “yes” to both questions.

The trial/temptation leads to endurance and completes in us more maturity. We also are faced with our true self instead of a facade. We may think that we can face anything because of God’s help. Now we know instead of think.

God’s grace is needed to overcome.

So

1. Ask God to relieve, take away, this trial/temptation.
2. Ask God, “What can you teach me from this?”
3. "Thank you, for you grace to help me."
4. "Give me wisdom to respond correctly."
5. Then, rest in God’s care and go to sleep if it is bedtime.

Easier said then done, but God is faithful.

Paul writes it this way: Romans 5:3-5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Peter writes on the same topic: 1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

John 16:33 NLT I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

1 Samuel 30:6 NASB Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Psalm 62:1-2 NLT For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David. I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.