"Trials Bring Patience and Wisdom"

Trials Brings Patience and Wisdom (James 1:2-7)

We all can attest to going through trials, whether mild or great. But in the eyes of God, trials are what grow us in the best possible way.

James speaks of trials at the start of chapter 1, telling us how to view trials from God’s perspective:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance/patience. But let perseverance/patience have its perfect work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).

As we learn to endure through hardships, we know that God uses these circumstances to grow in us patience, wisdom, and trust for what He is doing in our lives.

Blessings also come when trials have concluded. However, some may still struggle with doubt over the trials they are experiencing, so James advises us what to remember in difficult situations:

(James 1:5-7). “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault/without reproach, and it will be given to you”. (vs5)

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind”. (vs6) That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (vs7).

Don’t let doubt get the best of you when facing trials but instead realize you can ask the one who knows the outcome of the trial you are facing for guidance and wisdom on what to do.

Do God’s Word, Don’t Just Speak It (James 1:22-25)

It’s one thing to say godly words and insight to others; it’s entirely different to actually walk those words out.
That is why James is adamant toward the end of chapter 1 that we should not just be speakers of God’s Word, but actually do what we speak of.

“But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in the mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1:22-24).

As James explains to his readers, when we only hear God’s Word and do not do what it says, we are like a man seeing who he is in a mirror but then forgetting himself as soon as he leaves walks away.

In other words, we see who we are to be as Christians when we hear the Word, maybe even when we speak the Word, but when it comes to actually doing the Word, we seem to have forgotten what we learned.

When we speak and do God’s Word, it becomes a part of us and changes us forever.