Passing through Tough Times is a message from James 1:2-8.
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. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
In life, we go through trials, suffering, and pain. These are inevitable. Others may try to escape tough times and difficult circumstances. But that is not the way life works. We need to face these tough circumstances. We go through them.
What are the essential principles that we should consistently do as we pass through tough times?
1. In Tough Times, Practice Gratitude
“Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2). The Living Bible used the term “Be happy.” In a similar situation, Paul also wrote the statement, “…in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Both James and Paul taught the importance of being grateful in the midst of difficult situations. James says, “consider it pure joy” while Paul states, “in everything give thanks.”
Fonder upon this Persian Proverb, “I had no shoes and complained until I met a man who had no feet.” There is always a way to look into the good side of life that will help us to be grateful. Gratitude is a muscle. If you are thankful every day, it grows and develops until it becomes natural within you.
Related Post: The Power of Gratitude
2. In Tough Times, Visualize Growth
A helpful practice during tough times is to visualize growth. In verses 3 and 4, “…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.”
Instead of thinking all the negative thoughts, visualize growth, and all the good results. James is clear when he said, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” It means there is growth after the trial. A good character is developed.
After the tough times, how do you see yourself? Can you come out a better person? A better Christ’s follower? A better disciple? A better person in your industry?
3. In Tough Times, Be Filled with Wisdom
James also wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
It is not a coincidence that the word “trials” and “wisdom” are both in the passage. One thing is for sure, James, the author connects them. It means when trials come, one way to overcome them is to ask God for wisdom. We need to ask God for wisdom every day.
When trials come, the Lord might be telling you something or teaching you a lesson. We might be able to grasp and understand when He gives us wisdom. Why older people are full of wisdom? Because they have gone through a lot of experiences, good or bad.
Robin Sharma says “Adversity is an opportunity for mastery.” Let me borrow that quote and revise it a little bit and goes like this, “Adversity or trial is an opportunity to grow in wisdom.”
We can go through difficult and tough times. We will overcome. Apply these practical and biblical principles: (1) Practice Gratitude; (2) Visualize Growth; and (3) Be Filled with Wisdom.
