God brings trials into our lives to enable us to grow through perseverance. So, how can a Christian

practically endure painful trials? Several things are required:

• A joyous attitude. Whenever you face a trial, make a conscious commitment to maintain a

joyous attitude. This is not something that happens by accident; it is an attitude that must be

cultivated. The Lord is bringing about a perfecting work in you through your suffering. Consider

the Lord’s suffering. As His disciples, should we expect to be shielded from suffering?

• An understanding mind. You should know that your faith is being tested whenever you go

through trials. One of the ways we know we are true Christians is by going through difficult

times with all our hope and trust in the Lord staying intact once we come out of them. The

verification of true faith is a wonderful blessing.

• A submissive will. Let patience have her perfect work. (James 1:4 KJV) In other words, let God

do his work and allow endurance to do what God wants it to do. Be submissive to the trial. Don’t

fight it. Don’t argue about it. Don’t shake your fist at it. Just accept it. You’ll find it more and

more difficult if you fight it. There’s only one way out of it, and that’s through it. As we submit to

God’s work, we become more spiritually mature and useful for His work.

• A believing heart. Unless you have wisdom from God that gives you the practical insight to face

the issues of life, it will be difficult to remain joyful, to have an understanding mind and a

submissive will. So, James instructs us to ask God for His wisdom. He writes, If any of you lacks

wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be

given to him. (James 1:5) God intends for us to look to Him for answers. He wants us to

recognize the limitations of human reason. Don’t look to yourselves for answers.

• A humble spirit. There is a place for rejoicing no matter how humble your circumstances are.

(See James 1:9-11) God will exalt the believer who has little. This is good reason to rejoice!

Further, the man who is rich will have to face the uselessness of worldly goods and humbly

depend on God’s gifts and His grace. In both cases, our trials increase our dependency upon

God.

Loving God is undoubtedly the key to enduring all the trials of life. Throughout all the difficulties we

face, the one thing that holds us to the Lord and keeps our faith firm is the strong bond of love.

By Jim Connell