James 1:12
Life can be full of frustrating situations. Jesus himself told us that we will face tribulations in the world (John 16:33). Trials and tribulations may be inevitable, but we can decide if they will make us or break us. We don’t have to be miserable in a trial because God never leaves us during the trial (Isaiah 43:2).
A time of trial is when God tests his children to promote and reward us. God does not tempt his children, however; he tries us to bring out the best in us and help us grow. A trial is just like an examination. Just like an examiner rewards excellent students in an exam with high grades, God rewards our loyalty to him during a trial tremendously.
James 1:12 tells us that those who persevere during a trial are blessed. This is because God will reward them with a crown of life because of their love for God. To get through a trial, we need to persevere. It may not be easy, but we must keep our eyes on the crown that God has prepared for us in heaven. The proof of our love for God during trials is that we persevere through the trial trusting God all through it.
Are you going through a trial currently, don’t give up. Hold on to God, he will guide you through the storm. The trial will come and go, but your conduct during the trial will determine if you remain at your current level or you move forward to receive rewards from God for passing his test. Trials don’t last, but tried men last victoriously.
Why do we go through trials?
Trials do not come to destroy us, they come to build us. God weaved trials into our life on earth because we need to get out of our comfort zone for growth to happen. In the uneasiness and pain of trials, we are equipped with tools that will help us walk with God and be a positive example for other believers.
Before gold shines brilliantly and attractively, it first goes through a refining fire. If gold does not go through that fire, its beauty will remain a potential and never a reality. Not all fire is destructive, there is a refining fire God uses to make his children. Just like gold, God passes his children through the fire to bring out all the beauty and glory hidden in us (Job 23:10). This is what trials are all about.
Although the fire is not comfortable, if we can endure it, we will be refined to God’s taste and pleasure. God wants the best for us, so he will allow us to go through the fire sometimes to bring out the beauty in us. This is why we must persevere through trials. Trials will only lead to our glorification and decoration by God.
How to persevere in trials
Persevering in trials is easier said than done. To persevere does not mean you should stay idle while waiting for your trial to end. If you don’t follow practical steps to help you stay through in the time of trials, you may be forced to give up. Here are four things to do in times of trials to help you get through them victoriously.
Spend time in God’s presence
In times of trials, your strength will fail you. You need a strength higher than yours to persevere during trials. In trials, draw strength from God by drawing nearer to him through prayers and the study of his word. Without God, it will be very difficult for you to get through during trials. This consciousness will prompt you to spend time in God’s presence to find strength and direction to navigate through the trial. Before going to the cross, Jesus spent time in God’s presence praying. He knew he needed God’s strength to get through that moment.
When your strength fails you in a trial, spend time in God’s presence. You will find the strength to move on.
Fix your gaze on Jesus, not the trial
When going through a trial, you shouldn’t keep worrying about how horrible the trial is. Instead, fix your gaze on Jesus through the storm. Don’t allow negative thoughts to fill your heart about your situation. To do this, keep God’s word in your mouth and your meditation. As you spend time in God’s presence, your mind will be fixed on him and you will be empowered to live above the storm. You are strengthened to persevere in a trial when you fix your gaze on Jesus.
Keep a good attitude
You can’t decide what trial you will have, but you can decide your attitude in it. God always looks carefully at your attitude during a trial. He wants to see if you will still love and trust him despite the trial. The attitude you show will determine whether you will be rewarded after the trial or not. When going through a trial, maintain a good attitude. Refuse the urge to grumble, give thanks to God instead. Choose to rejoice irrespective of your problems. Reject depression and sadness. The joy of the Lord will be your strength.
Get busy
While you wait for the trial to be over, avoid idleness. You will get frustrated that way. Perseverance is not a passive process; it is an active process. As you go through a trial, get busy serving God and being a blessing to people. This may sound difficult, but it is a very helpful thing to do during your trial. Avoid idleness and self-pity during your trial. The devil can play on your emotions to discourage you in your idle moments.
Joseph spent the time of his trial in Egypt serving and impacting people in the prison. This helped him get through his trial and God rewarded him by lifting him to become the prime minister of Egypt.
King James Version (KJV)
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
New International Version (NIV)
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.”
Summary
James 1:12 is a verse of encouragement for all believers. When we go through trials, we know we are blessed when we persevere. God will go through our trials with us and give us a reason to smile and rejoice after the trials. We can rejoice amid our trials because we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.