Life has its bumps in the road. Sometimes we call them trials and temptations. James encourages us with these words: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2 NAS)

    James wants us to know that trials and temptations can actually make us stronger and better equipped to handle life if we will learn from them. Genuine joy can come from knowing that we’ll be better for having gone through them.

    Some people learn from their trials and temptations and are actually stronger afterward. Others, however, get stuck in a victim mentality and are paralyzed by self-pity.

    Do we dread trials or tackle them with God’s help?

    People who go through college or trade school have a lot of assignments, projects, papers, and tests. They also have the joy of knowing that after they graduate they will be able to have a good, successful and rewarding career. It makes the preparation worth the effort. The joyous anticipation helps them endure the difficulties.

    Business executives don’t grow to the place of not having problems. They actually handle dozens of problems on a daily basis. They have become successful because they have learned from their problems and can tackle them rather than dread them.

    James also reminds us that “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NAS) When going through a trial or temptation, we will need to ask God for wisdom to understand it.

Do we dread trials or tackle them with God’s help?

    I’d like to suggest that we might want to ask some questions about the cause and purpose of the trial.

    Is it because of something I did?

    Is it a trial or temptation from the devil?

    Does God want me to see something or to learn something?

    Is it just the stuff of life, like a leaky faucet or a car breaking down?

    Can we see good in it?

    If it has to do with people, are we learning to resolve conflict in a Christ like way?

    Trials and temptations are a part of life. Will we learn from them and get stronger, “wanting nothing?” or will we be paralyzed by self-pity and fear? Another way to put the question is this: “When it comes to trials will you be bitter, or better?”

    The apostle Paul reminds us that “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 KJV)

 

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© Copyright 2003, Mike Barres.

Title: "Trials and Temptations"
Author: Mike Barres
Publication Date: August 10, 2003