CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: THE TRIALS THAT TEST YOUR CONVICTION

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James 1:2–4 (AMP)

«“[2] Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into

 various trials. [3] Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience]

 produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace]. [4] And let

 endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be

 perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”»

When I just started walking with the Lord, I used to tell Him,

“Dear Lord, please don’t subject me to trials and temptations. You know

 where You are bringing me from. You know how soft and fragile I am. I 

won’t make any effort to pass Your test, so please don’t bother testing me.”

Nevertheless, the Lord would go ahead and test me. I passed most times, and 

after the examination, the Lord would whisper to me,

“You just passed a test.”

The beautiful thing about the Lord’s examinations is that there is often a 

gentle conviction in your heart that it’s a test, and then He teaches you 

methodically how to overcome those conditions. Then He’d push you to apply 

the methods, and there you have it… your pass mark.

I used to imagine my situation was like Job’s. I’d chuckle and tell the Lord,

“Lord, You already know how this would end. Count me out…”

I don’t like stress… I don’t like to be put to the test. Whenever humans try to 

test me and I become aware, I intentionally falter to teach such individuals a 

lesson not to put me in a place of discomfort for sport. I’m not a tool for 

entertainment. If you want to test me to see if I’ll leave a place, oh! I’d 

definitely leave that place and see what next you’d do about it. You want to 

test me to see if I’d get angry, if I had the capacity to restrain myself, and I 

discover it’s foolish banter, then you’d have the full dose of my wrath. You 

want to see it, right?

Why does the Lord test people?

When God called Abraham and told him to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham 

wasn’t moved. He did the plus and minus and knew there was no 

arithmetical loss.

He knew two things:

I. It’s impossible for God to lie.

II. God is able to raise up the dead and even prevent the sacrifice from getting 

burnt.

He knew how the matter was going to end. The Lord had promised him a son 

in his old age, and that through that son the nations of the earth would be 

blessed. He believed that. So, holding on to that promise from God, he told his 

son Isaac,

“The Lord would provide Himself the sacrifice.”

He never at any point told Isaac,

“You are the sacrifice.”

His confession, even at the darkest point, remained aligned with God’s 

promise.

Now let’s enumerate the opening verse…

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into 

various trials…”

This talks about our mental attitude. Scripture indicates that we shouldn’t be 

distressed when trials come. How ought we to react? No tears, no 

murmurings, but with joy.

The Bible says about the Lord Jesus, “Who, for the joy that was set before Him 

endured the cross, despising the shame...” He joyfully accepted the trial 

before Him.

Why should we react with joy? Because a broken spirit is one filled with fear 

and hopelessness. Faith cannot coexist with fear. The joy of the Lord is your 

strength. So then we react joyfully when trials and temptations come.

“[3] Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces 

endurance [leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace].”

God tests us, not because He needs to know our hearts (He’s all-knowing), but 

to strengthen us and help us discover our individual shortcomings.

It’s self-awareness. Every individual needs self-awareness.

These trials produce endurance, which is very fundamental in dealing with 

God and with men. Endurance is a cardinal virtue. And guess what? These 

tests lead to spiritual maturity, and they grant inner peace.

Spiritual maturity is the ability to stay focused and at peace in the midst of 

the storm as though it doesn’t exist, because you know all things work 

together for your good, and the Spirit of the Lord is in your boat.

This is what trials and temptations instill in you. So then:

«“[4] …let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you

may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”»

Allow the test to work its work in you. It’s going to perfect you, build you up, 

and make you ready for every good work.

Whenever you are faced with a challenge, be joyful. Be glad. Sing, dance, 

rejoice, and give God thanks.

You’d dance in that fire.

You’d jump in those illusional limitations.

You’d sing in those dark tunnels and prisons.

You lost some money!? Rejoice!

You had a miscarriage!? “Thank You, Lord Jesus!”

You have a death sentence upon your life? “My life is hid in Christ! I can’t die!”

Allow the circumstances to make you.

A Prayer for You

May God’s grace abide continually in you. May God fill your heart with 

courage and boldness. May the spirit of faith arise in you to help you 

overcome the trials of your conviction, and may you have an excellent result 

in all things. Amen.

Shalom, Shalom.

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