Trials and Troubles (Part 2)

Last post we learned there is a huge advantage of becoming a child of God, for God uses trials and troubles to bless his children. The book of James is written to believers who have been scattered all over known world. In the first few verses, the book reveals the reality and responsibility of believers living in trials and troubles.

First, we’ll look at the realities of trouble and trials. James 1:2 states “when ye fall into divers temptations.” The first reality is “when ye.” This means every believer (child of God) without exception will have trials and troubles. Now notice the word “divers” which means many and various. Therefore, every believer will face many kinds of trials and troubles. Next notice the word “temptations” which conveys the meaning of trials or testing with a purpose. Therefore the reality of life for a child of God is that he will face many trials and troubles during his lifetime and each one has a specific purpose to shape them into that which they were created to be.

Second, we’ll look at the responsibilities of God’s children in dealing with trials and troubles. The first responsibility is to embrace the trials. We read in 1:3, “know this.” Know What? Know that the trials will bring you forth in beauty and greatness (James 1:3-4). If one refuses to embrace the trial, one runs from the trial which only prolongs the trial. The second responsibility is to entrust the trials to God. James 1:4 uses the words “But let.” One must let God use the trials to shape and mold them into true godliness. Those who do not became religious, not godly. Third, one should exalt God through the trials. James 1:2 tells us to “count it all joy.” Joy is the deep-seated appreciation for God’s handiwork not only in our lives, but also in the lives of our loved ones, and brings forth purity of all things.

The truth of the matter is if we do not fulfill our threefold responsibility: Embracing the trials from God, while entrusting the trials to God, and exalting God through the trials, the trials will turn one bitter and cranky. Those children of God who do not respond will prolong their trials and will miss out on the enjoyment of God’s loving grace and the abundance of life God has lain out before them. God will still continue to work on them gently and tenderly mold them for His glory. May each trial be embraced, entrusted, and exalted in God’s glory and in His joy.