Kidzablaze Devotions

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Have you ever wondered, Why would a loving heavenly Father allow His children to go through trials and sorrow? It can be baffling when the all-powerful God of love seems to stand by silently while painful things happen.

The Word of God is the place we can find an answer. Even so, today’s reading can be hard to understand or accept. One might read James’s exhortation to be joyful in the face of trials and think, Count me out! Difficulties and joy just don’t seem to go together—that is, unless we understand God’s perspective of what life is about.

In speaking about joy, James isn’t referring to a cheery, temporary feeling. Rather, he is talking about an inner sense of calmness, peace, and confidence in the Lord. He’s not telling us to feel happy about our trials but to know, as we go through them, that God is up to something good in our life. Our attitude during the struggle will determine what shape we’re in once we come out on the other side.

When our faith is tested, the end result is endurance; being aware of this gives us hope and strength. What’s more, the Bible promises God will use trials for our good (Romans 5:3-5), so there’s no need to be afraid or anxious.