It seems at first glance that James is a bit odd to say ‘count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds’. Why would we be joyful in the trials? We all have had many trials and still do, I am sure. We wonder, where the Lord is. Has He left us, abandoned us? Why is this happening Lord? Why does one thing after another come at us? There are many types of trials like health, finances, family, work etc but as James says ‘Count it all joy when you encounter various trials. Why? Because the testing of our faith produces endurance so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The trials are opportunities for growth to mature in our faith. We see God at work in them, sometimes as they are happening or sometimes we don’t see it till later on. They can come out of the blue, last a long time and sometimes there may be many at once, you feel like you are sinking and wondering where God is.

I have been through and still am, at this time of writing, going through trials. I am totally dependent on Him. I have questioned, why Lord? As one thing after another has happened. I have also found that when you need Him the most He seems a million miles away, but He isn’t, He is right there with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Sometimes when He seems silent that is when He is the closest when He carries us. He knows what we are going through Our Father is with us always

Trials sometimes prepare us for what God has planned for us. Maybe what we have been through will help someone else in the future. We can be there for people who are going through the same things we have been through. Maybe the trial is to grow our faith, to depend on God to supply all our needs as He has promised.

The trials are like the refiners fire, testing, purifying our faith just at the fire separates impurities from gold, God maybe separating all the things in our lives that are not of Him. He knows what we need and when we need it. So trust the process, however hard. I hadn’t been spending the time with God that I used to since I was unwell but that’s ok God understands that but now I’m back to my quiet time, space with Him to read HIs word, just to be in His presence.

So if you are going through a tough time, don’t do it alone, ask people to pray for you, spend time with God, read His word and one day the light will shine, the shadows lift and although the troubles are still there you know God is in control and he will supply your needs whatever that would be to you  He is worthy of our praise always in every situation. Keep your eyes on Him. Have that quiet time with Him again and He will guide you to scripture and give you the endurance to persevere. For He is bringing beauty from ashes, joy in the trials and He will never leave you or forsake you