When going through trials in my life, I can often respond with anger, feel discouraged, and be overcome by worry. During these times, my faith is being tested.
The testing of your faith will happen within trials. Your faith can be strengthened when you know how to respond: to live as God wants you to through these trials.
The Bible teaches you how to do this, and the good that comes from this testing. Having this understanding will strengthen you as well.
God is faithful to see you through whatever trials you are going through right now. You can trust him. He will not let you down. Keep having faith in him. He is with you and is your refuge. He is doing good through this.
What Does the Bible Say About Trials?
The Bible says that throughout your life, you will be going through trials. It also tells you how you can respond in these trials to live as God wants you to. You can read about this in James.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” (James 1:2, ESV)
He is teaching you how to react in the different kinds of trials you will go through: “count it all joy.” You should think about trials as an opportunity for joy.
This verse is not telling you to be joyful that you have cancer, or are in so much debt, or that your marriage is on the rocks. God never wanted those things to happen to you. They were not his plan.
It’s due to the fall that you and I have to suffer pain in our bodies—or experience rejection, hurt, and brokenness in relationships. Jesus understands pain and suffering, as he endured so much.
He loves us and it is by his grace and love that he does good for us within our sufferings. He doesn’t have to, because we don’t deserve it, but he does.
You can respond in this hard time with joy, no matter what you are walking through. This should be your state of mind when trials come: joy. Don’t let your negative emotions rule.
Meaning of Trials in the Bible
The meaning of trials in the Bible, in James, is not just outward trials that everyone can see you going through (like being sick), but also temptation that you are facing within that is urging you to engage in a sin.
Trials in the Bible can be both.
The testing of your faith is happening in both kinds of hardships. God will help you in whatever you are walking through, and you can “count it all joy” when you know what God can do through them for you.
The trials won’t stop, but God tells you why you can respond with joy and what else you can do—which is needed to help you grow in the Christian faith.
What Is the Purpose of Trials in Our Life?
Maybe you are thinking, “how can I see my trials as times of joy?” I don’t blame you, as this is a difficult perspective to have—but God tells you why you can.
When your faith is tested, it doesn’t feel like a good thing or a time to have joy. However, when you know the great work God is doing through the testing of your faith from trials, you can and will.
Why do we go through trials and tribulations? You can read more about it in James 1:3-4.
“… 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 1:3-4, ESV)
You can have joy due to God telling you what your trials will do for you. They will enable you to mature as your faith is tested and you keep walking in steadfastness amidst the testing.
This virtue of steadfastness is developed within you, which builds your character. An aspect of this looks like having radical patience that doesn’t wear out as endurance extends your faith. It is having a fortitude.
Faith Strengthening
Your faith is being stretched, which is a good thing to strengthen it, so you can reach the end goal of being made completely whole in eternity and gain maturity in this life.
Knowing he is doing this can bring joy. If you allow steadfastness/perseverance/endurance (words from different Bible translations) to “have its full effect,” you will walk “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” in eternity. This is what the testing of your faith produces. It is the purpose of it.
The trying of your faith proves you to be solid in it. It allows you to demonstrate that your faith is genuine for Christ. You will be blessed if you respond to trials in the way God wants you to.
“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.” (James 1:12, ESV)
God is always good and this allows you to know it in trials, too.
Testing of Your Faith
When the testing of your faith happens, you can think of trials as times of joy because of what the Lord is doing within you through them. The above Bible verses about testing faith tell us this.
If this feels like a struggle for you to accept, and you aren’t welcoming trials when they occur, you are not alone. But God tells you what you need in trials to do this: his wisdom.
You can respond in trials with joy by knowing why they occur and by praying that God gives you this perspective and shows you that he’s maturing you.
We need his wisdom in trials to respond as he wants us to, and to get through them. Below you will learn how you should ask for wisdom in your trial.
1. Freely Ask God for Wisdom
God wants us to ask for wisdom—not reluctantly, but freely—knowing he welcomes us asking. He will give it to us generously.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5, ESV)
If your mind and heart are asking in this manner, knowing he will never rebuke you or punish you, he will give it to you. This is dependence on him which he delights in.
God loves helping his children. Ask him freely.
You can have his viewpoint of joy in your trial and you can practically know what to do in it. You can live as he wants you to.
2. Ask God for Wisdom With Faith
Secondly, God wants you to ask for wisdom with faith. He doesn’t want you to doubt that he will give you wisdom if you ask him.
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8, ESV)
Have faith that he will give you wisdom in your trial when you ask him.
Have faith when you ask for wisdom in what to do, as he knows it all.
Have faith that he will change your heart and mind to think as he wants you to in this trial.
Don’t doubt who God is; have confidence in him. If you doubt his character you are “like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
Don’t waiver in faith—he is who he says he is. Ask with faith.
The testing of our faith will happen, and in it God does good by developing your character, maturing you, and strengthening you in your faith. These scriptures on trials in James tell you how to respond to the testing of your faith.
You know your faith is tested and knowing why will give you joy. Praying to God for wisdom will allow you to have the right perspective and heart to have joy in it, and also know practically what to do as well. God is with you and will help you. He knows it all.
Blomberg, Craig L, and Mariam J Kamell. James : Zondevan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2008.
Moo, Douglas J. James : An Introduction and Commentary. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 2009.
Vlachos, Chris A. James : Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. Nashville, Tenn: B & H Academic, 2013.
2 Responses
Nikki you are such a blessing. I hope others will take courage from your words and walk in faith and trust that our dear Lord Jesus knows and is acquainted with grief. I wouldn’t turn from my faith for anything. Thank you Nikki.
Hi, Linda.
All glory to Jesus! Im so thankful that these articles continue to speak to you, and I’m also thankful to hear that your faith is so strong. You are such an encouragement to me!
I hope to hear from you again soon.