Surviving & Thriving Through Trials

Do you love trials? Surely not. For virtually all of us, we despise trials and tribulations. We want them to be over, complain about their presence, and handle them in all the wrong ways.

Trials are a fact of life. No matter who you are or what you’ve got, trials come in all shapes and sizes, and they come to us all. We cannot control their coming to us, but we can control our response to them.

Yet, our response to trial often is often such that we prevent ourselves from growing the way God intends us to. We get in the flesh, embrace despondency, or grow bitter and cold.

In this passage, James entreats us to approach trials in such a way that we survive them, and thrive in them. His instruction is contrary to our natural ways of thinking.

Here he offers 4 practical words of instruction and wisdom.

Have Joy Knowing that God is at work.

In vs. 2-3, James calls us to take a very unique, even otherworldly, perspective about the trials that we face. He says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Here we are instructed to do what is perhaps the most unnatural thing for us to do—be joyful in trials. We hate trials. We beg God to take them away. We want them to come to an end as quickly as possible. These responses are completely understandable, but they are the opposite of what God calls us to do in them. We are called to take control of our perspectives in these moments. We are called to take joy, knowing that God is at work through the trial to develop and grow us, grow us, and bring us to a place of maturity. In short, take heart, knowing that God is working to make you better!

Paul and His Thorn in the Flesh. “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Romans 5:3-5. “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

The call on us is to take joy in the trial, knowing that God is at work. But again, this is unnatural for us, contrary to our fallen instincts. How then do we do it? White knuckling it? No. The way for us is set out in what he says next.

Be Patient to allow God to do the work.

In vs. 4, James continues to guide us through trials. In these moments, he says, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Here we see that in trials, it is essential that we exercise great patience with each moment. It will always be our instinct to become abrasive, critical, or to despair. With such mindsets, we take matters into our own hands and respond in the flesh. When we do this, we hinder our opportunity to grow as we might otherwise grow if we responded patiently. By contrast, we are to remain patient in trials. But again, the perspective take in these moments where trials rage is essential. We are to be patient, knowing that the process will make us “perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” We cannot quit, push away, respond in frustration. We must be patient and allow God to work His process of maturity in us.

Psalm 37:1-11. “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

We are further called to patience in the moments of trial.

Seek Wisdom to navigate the trial at hand.

In vs. 5, James continues by instructing us with something that rarely emphasized but is absolutely essential for trials. In them, he reminds us that we must pray specifically for wisdom. He says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” On the surface, it appears that James is switching subjects from trials to the issue of needing wisdom. But this is not so, as the major emphasis of all of 1:1-20 is on trial. James here mentions seeking wisdom because if there is ever a time where wisdom is needed, it is in the flaming trials we face. What makes trial so agonizing is that we often don’t know what to do, how to prevent things from getting worse, how to find a resolution, or see the way out. And, if left our own, we will surely blunder it. In trials, things rarely seem cut-and-dry or black-and-white. In trial we desperately need the wisdom of God. As such, this is precisely the time that James calls us to seek it from God. And, we are promised here that if we seek it, God will give it to us generously and that He will giving it without scorn or judgment.

1 Kings 3, Solomon Asks for Wisdom. “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David . . . At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” . . . “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.”

Proverbs 2:1-4. “My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;”

Since we cannot navigate trials without wisdom, we are called to seek it from God.

Trust that God will provide.

In vs. 6-8, we are called to trust that God will indeed provide the wisdom we need for trials. James says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Interestingly, James tells us that if we ask for wisdom but don’t trust God to give it, He will not give it. He tells us then that such a person is a double-minded person, both believing and doubting, unable to make proper decisions, and thus unable to do anything but be unstable. In short, then, if we are going to ask God for guidance, we must trust Him to give it!

Proverbs 2:5-9. "Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.

So then, we must be the kind of people who believe that God will give wisdom and guidance to His people.

Conclusion:

1. How do you conduct yourself in trials?
2. Do you grow impatient and respond in the flesh, or do you grow in patience?
3. Do you seek wisdom, or go it alone by operating in your own power and strength?
4. Do you trust that God will provide?