Value of Trials – Revised
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2-3 (NASB 1995)
As I meditated upon today’s text from a devotional post that I wrote over a year ago, it became clear to me that there is some confusion for many folks on this topic. The main confusion comes from the KJV use of the word “temptation(s)” rather than the more accurate word “trials” seen in verse two above in the NASB.
Temptations, strictly speaking, are acts of the evil one perpetrated to trip us up in our walk with God; often, they are sins of pleasure of various types. Trials, on the other hand, are incidents/happenings that test our faith in God, our obedience to His Word in our life. It is possible for a trial to have temptation within it; look at the trials of Jesus in the wilderness for an example of this – His trials were real bodily suffering with temptation attached. The man that stands in such trials and temptation gives proof that his faith in God is sound, and the evidence in his own mind encourages him to take courage, to bear patiently, and to persevere as a child of God.
Dear Reader, we can take delight in our trials, be they health related or some other hardship, not that they bring pleasure but rather an opportunity to experience God’s Word and Spirit work within us. In recent days, some of my health issues have seen old symptoms return to try me, physically and spiritually. In His presence, with His Word within my heart, I am able to remain calm rather than panic. This makes it possible for us me to endure trials through Him. In our trials and temptations, we may continue to stand confidently and joyfully in Him, much to the amazement of those around us – a valuable testimony indeed.
Thank You Lord, For The Trials That Come My Way.
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
https://devotionaltreasure.wordpress.com/
Image by DEEPAI
Well stated. Trials are “proofs of God’s care” and an opportunity to demonstrate one’s spiritual unity with God, rather than a cause for despair. Through a diligent spiritual understanding of God as divine Love and Truth, individuals can overcome obstacles and experience healing. The overcoming of a trial is the true manifestation of God’s power and presence, ultimately leading to spiritual growth and redemption.
Your Friend- His servant,
Isaac Otieno