James 2:2-8 states, count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (ESV).

 

I find peace in life because of this passage of Scripture. Do you ever find yourself at a point in life when you just don’t know what to do? Sometimes life deals us a situation where we feel like we have no good options. Other times we find ourselves dealing with problems or sufferings that we can’t resolve. If you’re like me, then you’re always trying to resolve your problems as quickly and efficiently as humanly possible. However, there are moments when no amount of human wisdom seems to be adequate enough to give us peace about a solution. In this passage of Scripture, James connects with his readers in verse two by highlighting the “trials of various kinds” that we all experience. James provides us with some very helpful insights about dealing with things that trouble us.

 

1. You can have joy in the midst of the trial. If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, the reason you can have joy during the trials of life is because God providentially uses these trials to strengthen your faith. Notice how James states, “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Although the trial may, for a time, cause you stress, anxiety, or even fear, you can find peace in the person and work of God. He has promised to not let your trials, pain, and suffering be in vain. He can use these things to strengthen your faith in him. James encourages his readers to find joy in this promise.

 

2. God Uses Trials to Sanctify Us. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to change us to become more holy. Notice how the text reads “and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” You can find joy in knowing that God is working in your life, even through the difficulties and struggles, to mold you into the person he desires you to be—a person who can reflect his majesty and glory.

3. God Provides Divine Wisdom. When dealing with these trials, our natural way of resolving the issues is to seek for a natural solution that is rooted in human wisdom. Depending on the situation, some people reach out to friends, parents, close relatives, or even Google to help find wisdom that will provide clarity to their struggle. While all of these avenues can provide a plethora of human wisdom, many times these same avenues will fail. However, God has promised that if his children will simply trust in him and ask for his divine wisdom, then he will provide it. He is the omniscient (all-knowing) God, but despite our belief in this fact we may still struggle with trusting God to give us his wisdom. The reason this is difficult is because many times God gives us wisdom not so we can solve our problem independently of him, but so he can work in our lives to sanctify us and strengthen our faith. We go to God asking for wisdom because we want the knowledge to solve our own problems. God on the other hand wants us to trust in his solution as he desires to work through our trials in a way that will glorify himself through our sanctification. God has promised to give his wisdom “generously,” but only if we ask “in faith.” This faith is a trust in God’s wisdom that requires us to be patient and allows him to work in our lives.

 

I don’t know what you may be struggling with today, but I do know the omniscient and omnipotent God who loves you despite the struggles of life you encounter. A failure to trust in the wisdom of God will only lead to a life that is like “a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” If you don’t learn to trust in God and wait patiently for his wisdom, then you will be controlled by the circumstances and people of your life. You will feel like a wave of the sea that is tossed around uncontrollably by the winds of life. Perhaps it’s time to begin spending more time in prayer than in conversation with others as we seek wisdom for our trials and struggles. How much time you spend in quality prayer about your situation will reveal to you how much faith/trust you really have in God as you pursue after wisdom.

 

The trial you face is important to God. Trust in him and pursue his wisdom so that you can have joy knowing God is in control.