James states in v. 2 that we should "consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever we face trials of many kinds..." This seems counter-intuitive at best. James exhorts us to receive trials because they result in benefits. This is what James basically states:
Trials ---> Testing ---> Perseverance ---> Maturity
God's ultimate desire for us is to become mature ("attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ") as it states in Ephesians 4:13. This process however needs to go through trial and testing.
Application:
The big question for us is whether or not spiritual maturity is our goal? The trials of life really reveal what our true motivations are in seeking Jesus. Is he just a nice value-add to our life? Is he a means to a end? (i.e. finding a nice Christian spouse or having a nice Christian community). None of these things are bad in or themselves but we are settling if this is all we want in our relationship with God. His desire is to grow us in the "whole measure of the fullness of Christ." If we want this, we need to travel the way of the cross. It goes through the valleys of testing and trials but it produces the godly fruits of perseverance and ultimately maturity.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not give in or give up to the trials and testings in my life. I know that half the battle is just "showing up" so help me do so everyday this week at work and at home. Help me fully engage all the things you have for me this week.
