By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
The place of trials in growth (23/6/2021)
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – NIV
Everyone wishes to live and go through life free of any troubles, pains, hustles and challenges. Many people’s prayers are in this direction. But the reality is that trials are the norm in life and part God’s plan to make us grow in Himself. James relates how trials of many kinds, faced by those in Christ, are a means to our growth to maturity and being complete in the Lord. He urges us to rejoice in them.
Trials of our faith are not to be taken negatively, but in good faith and joy because they produce perseverance. Patient endurance over time shape and mold in us the character of God which is key in maturity. Nobody matures in the soft pleasures of life. No general or athlete is trained in luxury. It takes pain, tears and sometimes what appears like failure. Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”(Job 23:10).
How we view the challenges of life determines how they shape us, either to become bitter or better, to stagnate or grow. No challenge of life leaves us the same. Bitter people never grow through their trials. They stagnate or retrogress instead. Better people are shaped and grow from challenges. They thank God and rejoice in them as Paul did. Which one are you?
Romans 5:3-4 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Shalom children of God.
