Perseverance

“I can’t do it,” Joe said to me in tears. Joe had gotten up during a small group study that I was leading and walked out crying. I told everyone else to wait a moment and I chased after him. When I caught him he said, “If you walked a mile in my shoes and with my cane you would know that it’s not possible for me to have joy!” In our group study we had just read from James 1:2-3 that says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Joe couldn’t take hearing that. Joe was in continual pain from wounds he got while serving in the armed forces. He was slowly and painfully dying from these injuries. “How can I find joy? Tell me!” Joe’s face had changed from sadness to anger. I had no idea what to say. I just stood there with tears in my eyes. Unsatisfied with my lack of words and concerned look, Joe walked away.

Have you ever felt like Joe? Have you ever wondered why God has allowed you or your loved ones to suffer? Have you ever been angered by the idea that we are to find joy in trials? We will never know for certain on this side of heaven, why we go through the terrible things we go through. We should not be discouraged to the point of quitting though. James encourages us with two thoughts. One idea is that trials develop perseverance in us. When trials happen in our lives God can use them to develop perseverance in our faith. God can mature us and those around us through hard times.

Secondly, James says in 1:12 that, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Even in times of trial, the Christian can have hope because there is reward and relief for those who stay faithful in spite of awful trials in this world. God will give those who persevere a “crown of life” that will last forever. When this life is over and we persevere in our faith, God will bring into a life without any pain or suffering. This knowledge should help us to have joy when we face trials.