Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
No one enjoys suffering. So it’s safe to say that joy is not the first emotion that comes to mind when we think about facing difficult circumstances. Yet James gives us good advice, when we consider the value of a mature and complete faith. What kind of faith do you want to have, a faith that can withstand the storms of life and give you the support you need or a faith that crumbles at the first sign of pain and disappointment? Of course we all want a strong faith! We all want to be the kind of person that stands tall through hard times! So how do we get there? What does it take to develop the kind of faith that moves mountains?
Just like physical muscle is developed through exercise and hard work, so strong faith and perseverance is developed through trial, use and testing. When everything is going well, we really don’t need to exercise our faith, but when we are struggling, we use our faith continually. That’s how it becomes strong. That’s what James is saying when he says “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Paul said it this way:
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 NIV
And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 NASB
When I read verses like these I get the idea that strong faith is developed over time. The more we’re called upon to trust God when our natural tendency is to doubt His power, His involvement and His love, the stronger our faith becomes. And when do we need to trust in God’s love more than when we are suffering? So what is the end result? Is it worth suffering to get there? Absolutely! James says when you are mature and complete, you will lack nothing! Your faith, and more specifically your relationship with God will be everything you’ve ever wanted it to be. Nothing will be missing! You’ll have the courage of Daniel when he faced the lions, the strength of David when he ran toward Goliath and the joy of Peter when he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water! It will bring you complete satisfaction and complete joy! You will look back on the journey and declare, “It was all worth it!” Stand strong in your faith today and allow the Lord to develop your spiritual muscles!