Profiting from Trials
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Profiting from trials does not sound likely or even something we want to consider. When problems come, we often ask, what did I do to deserve this?
From a religious perspective, trials can be a path to rich blessings from God. He uses trials to build up our faith, and it is this faith that helps us overcome the many ups and downs of life.
Rejoice in trials
Now James goes much further in his comments on trials. He lists them as building blocks of our faith and spiritual growth.
We all want to grow in our walk with the Lord. We simply want our walk to be easy and without any hardship.
James says in James 1:2-4 NKJV, “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Do you “count it all joy when you fall into various trials?” No, usually our reaction is, “Oh no, God, why me?!”
Am I right? Even when the trial is small, we tend to revert to old habits.
It can be something simple like my printer stopped printing black. However, I needed it to finish a large print job, allowing it to confuse me with what to do. My first reaction was to purchase a new one on credit. Which I knew was wrong.
A Christian friend then reminded me of my goal to stay debt-free to better serve God. The trial turned out to help me grow in patience and wait for God’s perfect provision.
God wants to bring you and me to completion in our walk with Him. Trials are just one of the tools God uses to make us stronger. To help us grow in faith.
Ask God
I did pray over the printer and ask God for guidance, but then went and did what I thought was best without waiting for Him. If I had prayed and waited on His guidance, I would never have had to waste time picking out a printer, buying it, and then returning it.
God wants to help you to grow, and you only need to ask. Always remember that God is on your side and open your heart to His will in your life. Trials come to help you grow stronger so you can serve Him better.
James points out another of our significant needs in James 1:5 of the same chapter, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” This is a scriptural promise that we all need to take hold of if we are to be wise in our daily walk.
Profiting from trials only happens when we open up our hearts and ask God. But, unfortunately, at times, it seems that He is very slow to answer. The reason is that we need to grow in patience and learn to wait upon the Lord.
Scripture makes it clear that God will answer when we ask. However, his answer may take some time, or it may be speedy. God will answer when He believes you are ready to listen. Many times it is not that He did not respond. It is that we did not listen.
Faith is the key
Another problem when we pray is we do not pray believing God will do what we ask. God expects us to approach Him in faith. Without faith, nothing will happen.
Paul stresses this in Hebrews 11:6 NKJV, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
To profit from trials, we must recognize who God is and believe that He will answer our prayers. We must look at the trials, both big and small, as tests to help us grow in faith. Each time we believe God is able, we grow stronger in faith. We can not allow doubt to take up residence in our lives.
James states in James 1:6-7, “ 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
When you face trials, your first step should be to turn to God and ask in faith for His help. Of course, God wants to help you, but He always wants us to be conscious of Him. He wants to meet all our needs, just as He did when He sent His Son to die for our sins on the cross.
Conclusion
So what have we learned from James 1:2-7?
First, we learned that trials can make us stronger, and we should not dread the difficulties that come our way. Every trial can be a learning experience that will help us grow in faith.
Secondly, we need to ask God for wisdom to deal with the problems that present themselves. He is there to help us and will respond to your request. So let Him help you with all your decisions. You will learn to be wise if you learn to trust God in your life.
And third, have faith. Your relationship with God depends on your faith that He is and that He rewards those who try to do good. God gives us enough faith to accept His Son as our personal Savior and will help us grow our faith from there.
God requires steadfast faith to see His great miracles in our lives. Trials in life help us to grow our faith in God.
Walking the Christian Walk always requires faith. This link will take you to an article on walking in faith.