James 1:3-4
3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
Two things we have talked about in relation to turning our trials into triumphs. First you must have the right attitude, and that is an attitude of Joy for James tells us to consider it nothing but pure joy when we go through trials. Then we must realize that trials produce endurance and patience in us, which is a challenge for many in this generation that is so accustomed to instant gratification.
How long then should one endure? When you know the end result, then you will know how long to endure. Think about a person who goes to the gym to train, and they have goals they have set for themselves. They will train and endure the pain and the weights until they see the desired results. James tells us to be patient until the endurance has its perfect result in us. He talks about spiritual maturity. Mature people are patient unlike kids who throw tantrums when they do not get what they want when they want it and when a little trial or pain comes their way then the whole world has to stop to attend to them and if it does not, then they will scream and shout.
Interestingly James also talks about endurance leads to inner peace. This peace and reassurance can only come from a place of Knowing God and trusting that he has a good plan for your life no matter the reality you are living in and no matter how long it will take.
God’s desire is to see us grow and mature and trials are a vehicle that He will use many times to get us there. His desire is that we will be perfected in our faith and be completely developed, lacking nothing.
Are you going through a trial? Do not give up in the middle because that would be such a waste. Allow patience and endurance to have its complete work in you. Remember it is but for a season and in this process God is working out something in you. Stick with it and don’t jump out half baked.
