…When life is easy? When the sun is shining? When you are free from pain? No. Not according to James 1: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (verse 2). Say what? It’s normal to be joyful in the good times, but not normally in the bad times. How can you face trials with joy?
“…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.” (verse 3-4). Trials produce something good in the Christian. It’s through trials that our faith is tested; it’s through our faith being tested that we develop perseverance and rigour; and through perseverance finishing its work the Christian is mature and complete.
