I had to laugh as I shared with my wife this morning, after I had a rough night, and shared with her  what I had read in James 1 on “perseverance” and how God develops it-through trials, troubles, adversity! “I think I have enough perseverance I don’t think I want any more.”:) lol. Really, I was saying, I think I’ve had enough trials.

We have had lots of trials, challenges recently. I’m sure you can relate. Our trials may be different in type but nevertheless what we have in common is …trials!

Trials are inevitable -(James 1:2)

Trials have purpose in the life of the follower of Jesus Christ.

The word “perseverance,” means “the power to withstand hardship or stress, especially the inward fortitude to endure.” The power to endure trials in order to spiritually grow and mature.

  • And so The two commands in James 1:2-4, “count it all joy,” means “immediately commence rejoicing” and “knowing.” “Immediately commence rejoicing” because you are not ignorant but informed, you know, be knowing…

Rejoice because you know what God is purposing in and with your trials. He’s developing perseverance in you as he matures you spiritually! Christlikeness!

Understand one of God’s purposes in your trials…is to develop perseverance, the power to withstand adversity, stress, the inward courage to endure amidst difficulties. Persevering under pressure!  What weight lifting produces in the physical realm, trials produces in the spiritual realm- perseverance, spiritual maturity.

It is easy for us to lose heart, despise trials, become weary with and in them, but we have to look at them from our LORD’S perspective as revealed in His Word. Growing up spiritually can be painful, and never apart from trials as a means to that end. Trials don’t mature us responding God’s way does and to know what He ls purposing to produce…”perseverance.” Rejoicing because of what you know.

God is not out to destroy you but to develop you and display Himself to you and through you !

Adversity is a means to advance your spiritual maturity.

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith producing endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”- (James 1:2-4).

God uses adversity to develop perseverance

God Bless,

Aidan.