When trials try to triumph over me,

whether an assault of the enemy

or the fault of my own iniquity,

I will trust in God’s Sovereignty.

In Christ alone I find true victory.

James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials WILL come.

It’s not an “if...then,” it’s a “when...then”

So WHEN they DO inevitably come, THEN this is what we DO...

(v. 2) we consider (NIV & NLT) or count (ESV) it pure (NIV), great (NLT), & all (ESV) JOY...

because the testing of our faith

(v. 3) produces perseverance (NIV), gives endurance a chance to grow (NLT), & produces steadfastness (ESV)

and in light of the victory,

Christ has already won for you and me,

our response to those trials should be...

Simply to embrace God’s grace in them

so He can finish the work He is doing through them.

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:4 (NIV)

“So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ~ James 1:4 (NLT)

“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ~ James 1:4 (ESV)

Wow. It’s ALL for His glory and our growth, and ultimately, for our good. In order to grow and mature and lack nothing, God not only calls us to endure the trials we face, He also wants us to find joy in them, as we trust Him, knowing that only in and through Him can we triumph over them!

The enemy breeds enmity.

Enmity feeds our iniquity.

Our iniquity impedes our unity.

But God, in His Sovereignty,

because of his great love for you and me

waged war against the enemy,

paid the price for our iniquity,

made a way for true unity,

and claimed the ultimate victory.