"My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." —James 1.2-4

     Mr. Kuntz taught me the value of tests. It was ninth grade and pre-algebra was the enemy. On the first day of class, Mr. Kuntz took precious class time to emphasize the value of tests in the learning process. "In math," he said, "a successful test proves that you have mastered a skill so well, that we can now introduce a new skill that will build upon the foundation of the first." In Mr. Kuntz's pedagogy, each test laid a foundation toward mastering pre-algebra.

     James says that life is a lot like math. We run into tests and trials that help us grow into the mature people that God intends us to be. James says three things about trials. First, life is full of trials. He says, "whenever you face trials...", not "if you face trials..." Trials are a part of living — that’s reality, but it is not James primary concern. Second, there are many different kinds of trials. James uses the Greek term poikilos for our English phrase of any kind. Its primary meaning is "many colored" or "variegated." 1 Peter 4.10 uses the same word to describe the multitudinous ways that God's grace is sufficient for our needs. Third, trials test our faith. It is through this testing, that God produces His character in His people.

     Jesus too faced trails, and yet when His time came, he turned his face resolutely to fulfill God's plan by going to Jerusalem and the cross that awaited Him there. The author of Hebrews says this about Jesus' attitude. "Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding it's shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."

     For James, it is not whether we will experience trials: Jesus did; we will. It is not about what type of trials we will encounter: Jesus encountered a myriad; we will too. But for James, it is whether we will recognize God's work in our lives through those trials and joyfully let God do His work. I encourage you to focus on God's work and count it nothing but joy!