James 1 Part 2

How can a person find joy in trials? We are to see a trial as an opportunity for development in us. If we really desire to be all God wants us to be, we will look forward to the outcome, and thus endure the time of testing with joy. James 1:3-4 lets us know the trial will work patience and from patience will come a wholeness and maturity which is gained no other way. “Trials can be faced with joy because infused with faith, perseverance results, and if perseverance goes full-term it will develop a thoroughly mature Christian who lacks nothing” (Blue, J. Ronald. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Colorado Springs, CO, David C. Cook, 1983). God is sovereign and God is good. If there was any other way to produce what He desires in me without the pain of a testing, He would grant it. But He knows me better than I know myself; there is no short-cut. The trial must come. Jesus focused upon the joy set before Him and endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Knowing this, we can face the trial with pure joy. Bring it!