JAMES AND THE TROUBLES OF LIFE

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” – James 1:2-4.

James begins his epistle with wise counsel on dealing with adversity. He says that Christians should have a unique perspective on suffering. In fact, we handle suffering in a radically different way.

It comes down to the difference in your basic outlook on life.  It all comes down to one thing: God.  For Christians, God has a very distinct role to play amid adversity. We can be joyful in suffering because God is sovereign, has a purpose for it, and made abundant provisions in the midst of it.

James does not use the words “misfortune,” “hard luck,” or “tough break.” Rather, James uses the words  “trials” and “testing.” The words “trial” and “test” indicate a circumstance designed by someone.  In other words, someone else places a person in a situation pre-arranged with a specific purpose. And so, while James does not mention the Lord specifically, he is saying that God is the authority administering the adversity.  God brings troubles into your life. He is in control and is working out His good plan. We can rejoice not just because God is sovereign over our adversities but because He is active in our adversities.  He is using these troubles to achieve a greater purpose in our lives. Charles Spurgeon hit the nail on the head when he said: “When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.”

We are a work in progress. As Christians, we want heaven now. While we wait for heaven, we want a heaven-like life. While we are on earth, our goal is to submit to God’s will and love the things that He loves. Our troubles are helping us get to that point.

Troubles can be viewed as obstacles that steal energy, time, productivity, etc.  But a Christian can see that there is something good.  This trial is ultimately advancing you. It isn’t taking away from your life; it is causing you to grow.

Matthew Henry said it this way: “We must not sink into a sad and disconsolate frame of mind, which would make us faint under our trials; but must endeavor to keep our spirits dilated and enlarged… [that way we are best equipped to] make the best of it. Philosophy may instruct men to be calm under their troubles, but Christianity teaches them to be joyful.”

Discussion Questions:

1. How have the trials you have experienced brought you closer to or pushed you further away from God? How have trials affected your faith?
2. When you read James 1:2-4, it seems like suffering is a major way God produces maturity and perseverance in us. Why do you think trials refine us so well?