“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4 ‭(ESV)‬‬.

How many times have you heard this verse quoted? I know I’ve heard it more times than I can count. This verse both challenges me and excites me! Let’s take a deeper look into what this verse is teaching us. 

Sometimes Trials Are The Results Of Others

Trials are a guaranteed part of life. I would say the world has been in a trial for the past 2 years. First, it was a trial of knowing a “new” virus was coming, and learning how to protect ourselves against it. Now, it is a trial of deciphering what is true and what are lies regarding everything related to this virus and its treatments. This is why it is imperative we stay connected to the Holy Spirit. He knows the truth and will guide us to the truth if we simply ask, seek, and knock. 

I started asking the Holy Spirit what I needed to know about this virus in March of 2020. He told me exactly what I needed to know and continues to direct me to the people who have discovered the truth regarding all things related to Covid-19. 

Some trials are forced upon us by others. The good news is God promises to use each trial, even those forced upon us by others, for our good and his glory. Our job is to trust him and continue to ask for guidance, seek his face for clarity, and knock until he opens the right door for us. 

Sometimes Trials Are The Results Of Ourselves

Some trials are brought on by our own actions. About a month ago I learned that some dear friends will be moving across the country this spring. These are friends whom I have prayed for God to bring in our life for the past 5 years. These are the same friends who we started our church with. I was devastated when I learned they were called to leave.

Brett told me they asked if we would be willing to take over the main leadership role in the church. I immediately rebelled and said, “No. I’m not doing it if they are leaving.” For the rest of that day the Lord made it clear to me that we are supposed to say yes. Still I chose to harden my heart and refuse. This wasn’t like saying, “I’d rather not do it.” This was, “I don’t care what happens, I will not do it.” It was a clear case of rebellion. 

The Fruit Of My Choice

The next day while I was waiting for my son Logan to get out of his gymnastics class, I got a phone call. Generally I wouldn’t have answered this phone call, but for whatever reason I decided to answer it. The guy, who sounded American, said that he was from my bank and there was suspected fraudulent activity. Someone had spent $3000 in another state. He asked if I authorized it. I replied, “No.”

It was right then that I was prompted to check my account. The problem was I was in a parking lot and the internet wasn’t great there. I shoved off that thought and decided to trust the guy. He then led me to go onto my bank account and click on a button that said “Zelle.” I had no idea what Zelle was. Now I know it is a wire transfer service. He directed me through the steps, and I obediently followed. Thankfully my bank would only allow me to send $1000 at a time. While that is still a huge amount of money, it is only ⅓ of what he was after. So I am thankful for that protection. 

My Eyes Were Opened

As soon as I hung up the phone, it was like a veil was taken off my mind and eyes. I immediately knew what had just happened. The guy just scammed me. I immediately called the bank and let them know. I just wanted to make sure I did everything I needed to do, and I thought they should know what the scammers were doing. 

They tried calling back the next day to get the next installment. Brett wanted me to call and merge him into the phone call. I asked the guy to hold on a minute. When I introduced Brett to the guy, he hung up the phone. He is a coward. 

That night I was attacked by a spirit of fear. It was the worst feeling I have ever felt in my life. Thankfully, I immediately recognized it for what it was and made it leave me alone, because I quoted Scripture and commanded it to leave in the name of Jesus.

The Root Is Discovered

The next morning the Lord revealed to Brett the cause of both of these attacks. They were from my own rebellion in not coming under his umbrella of spiritual authority regarding taking over the leadership of our church. I immediately repented. I changed my thinking and agreed to do whatever it is the Lord asks me to do. It was only then that I felt the full peace of God in my heart and mind. I could think clearly and my body relaxed. 

Some trials are brought on by other people’s actions, while other trials are brought on by our own actions. Regardless of the reason trials are brought into our lives, we are called to, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4 (‭ESV)‬‬. 

How Can We Have Joy

How can we count having a virus unleashed upon us or being scammed as a joy? The joy comes from the fruit of our attitudes. When we choose to count any trial as a joy, which could be translated as “calm delight,” we are choosing to plant the seed of steadfastness. According to Strong’s Dictionary, ‘steadfastness’ in this verse means “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, patient, continuance (waiting).” We have cheerful, hopeful endurance. We are patient and continue to wait, knowing that when this seed of steadfastness sprouts and grows, we will see the fruit of perfection, completion, and we will lack nothing. 

Strong’s tells us the word ‘perfect’ means “complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.).” So we will be completely perfect in our spiritual growth and our mental and moral character. I say yes to all of the above! I want to grow in my spiritual, mental, and moral character.

If going through trials means that I can plant the seed of steadfastness – hopeful endurance – and receive the fruit of lacking in nothing when it comes to my spiritual, mental, and moral character, I say bring on the trials. Yes, I know trials are never fun at the time, but the fruit of it can be very, very good! God uses trials in our life to produce the fruit of steadfastness, which is shown by becoming perfect, complete, and not lacking in anything. Therefore, we should think of trials as something good and choose joy while we are in them. 

The Difference Between A Trial And Temptation

How do we know the difference between a trial and a temptation? I recently heard a pastor say, “A trial is something that brings us closer to the presence of God. A temptation is something that drags us away from the presence of God.” We can see the fruit of what we are going through based on where it leads us. Does it lead us to run toward God, or away? Is what we are going through bringing about endurance, or does it leave a wake of destruction? Is it possible to be in a trial and become tempted at the same time. Just look at the fruit to determine if it is a temptation or a trial. Remember to repent, change your thinking, if you are in temptation. It’s the only way to be free and turn back toward the presence of God. 

Seek God in all circumstances. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and instruction when going through a trial. Knock until God reveals which door you are to go through. Maintain an attitude of obedience in all situations. Plant the seed of steadfastness. Be patient and keep enduring through the trials of life. You will reap a harvest of perfected thinking. You will think more like God, and that will change the way you think about trials. Know you are never alone. God is with you no matter what. He is with you through the trials and through the temptations. Seek out Godly friends who will stand with you and pray for you. Know God doesn’t waste anything. He will turn it for your good. Just give it time!