Purpose in Our Trials
Today’s reading is from James 1:2-4. Begin today’s devotion by reading this passage in your Bible.
In the old days, to get a more purified and valuable product of silver, the blacksmith would use extreme heat to melt the silver down and separate the impurities (or dross) from the precious metal. The fake stuff would float to the surface and the blacksmith would scoop it off and it would leave only pure metal. The blacksmith would know when this process was complete when he could see his face reflected in the silver. In a similar way, God uses trials and hardships in our lives to help remove the impurities in our hearts and make us more like Him.
In fact, James tells us to have joy (vs.2) when we face trials because we know that God uses them to actually benefit our lives. In God’s hands, trials have the ability to strengthen us, build resolve, create a persevering nature, and produce needed change in our lives. His goal is to make us mature and a complete person in Him.
Let’s read again from God’s Word and reflect deeper on how God uses our trials to shape us and produce change in our lives.
James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Reflect
- What speaks to you most from these passages? How is God challenging or encouraging you with them?
- What was the last big trial that you faced or are currently facing? How did you see God in the midst of the suffering? What did God produce in your life through the trial?
- After reading this passage and doing this devotional, how has your perspective changed on trials?
Act
Practice the discipline of Scripture memorization by memorizing James 1:2-4 this week. Take a few moments today and pray for someone who is going through a trial. Use this passage to guide your prayer for that person.
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are the Master Blacksmith and I’m so thankful that you know exactly what you are doing in my life. Please help me to keep a divine perspective on trials when they come and show me the areas of my heart that I need your help in. Teach me to persevere and purify my heart so that when you look at my life, I look more and more like you. Amen.