Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James 1:3-4

Most people don’t like tests. School exams, driving tests, and medical tests all tend to bring feelings of anxiety and insecurity. Will I pass? What will it reveal? Our confidence is shaken, and all of a sudden, we are not so sure we did all we could do to prepare. At times, we don’t even realize there is an issue until a routine test is conducted.  I recall a couple of years ago, when I had my routine physical at the doctor’s office. Not expecting anything different from my labs, I was shocked when my doctor told me my cholesterol was high. Not anticipating the results, but not wanting to take any medication, I resolved to lose some weight and get back on track with my health. After a year of hard work, I awaited the results of my cholesterol check-up. Had I done enough? The results were in: I had lowered it significantly, but was still a few points away from the healthy range.

Was that test necessary? Was it helpful? Yes, of course. That’s why they are “routine” and preventative. They keep us on track if we choose to see them as tools to help us, not hinder us. Not only do they keep us on track, but help us improve our future health.

Similarly, the testing of our faith is a good thing. James tells us that not only should we see these tests as beneficial, but we should welcome them with joy! It is not always easy in the moment, but it helps us to remember the end result. Testing of our faith produces steadfastness. It is also helpful to look at the definition. 

Steadfastness: loyalty, perseverance, unwavering devotion, constant endurance, firmness

When we understand the reason for our faith to be tested, we can see why it is necessary. As believers, we want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” God saves us, but He also sanctifies. He chips away the sinful habits and attitudes in our lives and molds us into the image of Christ. That is the way we mature into good and faithful servants.

James goes a step further. “Let steadfastness have its full effect.”

To “let” means to allow, to have, hold or possess. When testing or trials come, are we still complaining and grumbling? Or are we allowing the active endurance of this test to come to fruition? It cannot have its full effect unless we accept it in gratitude. Only then can we see the Holy Spirit work unhindered. We see growth unfolding without our negativity or disobedience preventing it from having its full, complete, perfect effect. What is this effect? It is spiritual maturity- becoming more and more like Christ. 

Let’s look at an example from nature. At the right time, the caterpillar builds itself a cocoon in preparation for its new cycle of life. It is changing and preparing itself in safety. When the time has come to emerge, it eats a little hole in its cocoon and begins to push its way out. The hole must be small and the emerging laborious for good reason. The struggle is necessary for the new creature to develop muscle strength, proper wing development, and expansion. If interfered with, the butterfly would have weak or useless wings, which would affect its survival. It would still look like a butterfly, but it would not be able to fly with the strength to its full potential. It may even die without opening its wings.  In other words, the struggle is necessary for transformation and growth. Not just for itself, but for all to see a beautiful, healthy butterfly.

Dear Believer, 

Consider it all joy, then, when God presents to you a test of faith and a trial in which you must struggle. He tests us to stretch us, to purify us, and to sanctify us. The Lord desires all his children to be perfect, complete, and lacking in nothing. To be persevering, hopeful, and steadfast believers, we must walk through the fire. We must recognize it and accept it. It will do no good if we go around it or squeeze past it. We must go through it. Fully experience the death of ourselves to come out on the other side new, refined, and golden. 

Abraham had to accept the possible death of his only son.

Daniel and his friends had to go through a literal fire.

Job had to lose everything but his life.

Jesus had to die.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

May the examples of those saints who have gone before us encourage us, the crown of life ahead of us give us hope, and the love for our Lord propel us forward. 

In Christ’s love, 

Bianca