Trials: Rewards or Temptation?

Sunday’s study took us through James 1:12–16, which builds upon the earlier verses in James when we learned that God uses trials in our life to build stronger faith. Sunday we were reminded of that, plus we learned that God rewards steadfast faith, He never tries to make us fall, and it is our own desires and passions which derail us from faith.

After the service I was asked, “What if the trial is of our own making?”

This is an excellent question, and, essentially, I’d say it doesn’t matter; God will be present and working either way.

God does build the reproofs of life into daily living. If you speed, you’ll get a ticket (a trial). If you steal things, you’ll end up in court (a trial). If you are lazy and always late for work, you’ll probably be fired (a trial). If you overspend your credit card, you’ll have to pay it off over a long period of time (a trial).

However, for a believer, the righteous and just God is also your Heavenly Father. So, by that family nature, He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is always working in our lives, even when we mess things up. As a loving Father, He does allow or bring discipline (Hebrews 12), but it is always designed to build our faith, never to tear us down, as James says.

In all things—natural disasters we didn’t cause, or our own messes—let us be quick to get our eyes focused on the Lord, by faith, knowing He is present and working to build our faith!