By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
James 1
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3. because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Trials are fires that refine our faith. They are the hardest part of our Christian walk but like exams to education, we will always have them. They are not sweet but they bring sweetness into our life.
Trials are part of Christian life and necessary for growth and maturity so that we can be fruitful and productive.
The best thing is not to run away or avoid trials but to seek a better understanding and be positive about the purpose of trials.
Like bitter medicine that will bring healing to our body, so are trials. If we understand this way, swallowing the bitter pill becomes bearable as much as it is still bitter. When we understand the purpose we develop a positive attitude towards trials. This can really help us triumph over trials.
This will help us face trials in a more positive manner so they yield the right results for our good and for God's glory.
In trials, God brings what we know in our heads into our hearts. The only value of knowledge is when it becomes part of your heart.
How can we face trials in triumph?
1. Right Attitude
You need to have the right attitude about trials. Trials are for our good as painful as they are.
James 1: 2 - consider it pure joy whenever you face many trials.
Consider means to think deeply about something. Give something deeper attention. Trials on the surface seem like tools of destruction but if you look deeply you realize they build our faith and graduate us to the next level. They are means of growth. That should encourage you and give you some joy any time you face trials.
We need to look at trials from a positive angle or right perspective. Develop the right attitude towards trials. Trials don't come to break us but to make us. They come to strengthen us, not break us.
Job 23
10. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Attitude is key in life. Your attitude determines your altitude.
The attitude you adopt towards something or someone determines how you deal with or handle that thing and hence the outcome.
Your attitude towards trials determines whether you will come out better or bitter.
Examples of carrot, an egg and tea bags.
You deal with and handle people and issues based on the attitude you have towards them.
2. Purpose
Trials have a purpose. Purpose reveals the outcome or the value of the process. When you understand the purpose of something you are motivated because you know the value of the outcome. You can overlook the process and its challenges and draw strength by focusing on the outcome.
People who understood the value of education performed better but those who did not. Waliosoma ni kama wanasaidia wazazi (Those who studied for sake of it - to please the parents). Wengine hata kumaliza ilikuwa shida (Others did not complete studies) while the other group aimed for higher levels. And their experiences also, those who understood what education will bring to them enjoyed studying and looking forward to the outcome but the other group endured being in school. The school was a punishment but to others, the school was an opportunity.
James 1: 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Trials produce perseverance which brings about maturity and dependency.
When a child is born, he goes through life trials and tests until adulthood when he can stay on his own and depend on himself. Trials come to make us not break us. They are for our good. Exams take you to the next level and finally graduation thus a job or career.
Trials work out perseverance
The most ingredient that lacks in every believer is patience, especially during hard times or painful moments.
Trials teach us to trust and wait upon the Lord as we persevere.
Perseverance produces maturity
A woman who has persevered in marriage matures to a level where she lives like everything is okay without even being stressed. A young couple will go back to their parents at the slightest provocation.
Philippians 4
11. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Trials bring the best out in us. David facing the giant brought the giant killer out of him.
Job 42
5. My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
You get to know God better and in person which makes us mature and beautiful becoming like Christ in character. The tougher The trial the greater the result. The strongest things in life come out of the toughest processes in life. Diamond is very precious it comes from extreme intense heat and pressure. Pure Gold results from the highest temperatures.
The finest wine takes years to mature. The best thing in the trial is to seek more grace to bear the heat and pressure. Understanding the purpose of the Trials gives you motivation and courage to face the trials with great joy and endurance.
Hebrews 12
2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him( of obtaining the prize) he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Prize
Philippians 2
9. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name
3. Wisdom
James 1:5 If any man lacks wisdom let him ask for it.
The hardest times and seasons of our lives are during trials. Things and circumstances or situations change drastically from normal and so many crucial decisions have to be made. Most people lose it during trials because of wrong or untimely decisions.
Trials are a moment of make or break based on the choices you make. During trials based on your wisdom, you will come out broken or stronger. You rise up or go down. During trials, things get shaky and foggy, and it requires great insight to navigate through unclear paths. The heat and darkness are intense. It is a dark season and not easy to navigate. Wisdom is the light that shines on this path.
Job 2
9. His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10. He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
Job's wife never had the insight and her choice Was suicidal but job wisely triumphed over the trials and come out shining and even more blessed.
People equate salvation with wisdom
Being born again does not graduate you into wisdom, it sets you on to the path of wisdom. You need now to pursue and grow in wisdom.
Proverbs 9
10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
When you enter nursery school it is just the beginning of learning. Nobody can call you 'my learned friend' until you get to higher levels.
Trials make you more acquainted with God hence growing your faith. In trials, God brings what we know in our heads into our hearts. The only value of knowledge is when it becomes part of your heart.
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