This has been a week where the Lord has been working mightily in the lives
of us, His children, to establish us firmly in Himself through many trials!
This is His love that is at work!

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance
have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing." James 1:2-4

There are four things in this passage James tells us concerning trials: our
attitude; trials are inevitable; the purpose of trials; the goal of trials.
Let's see what Scripture opens up to us in each area.

*Attitude toward trial:
We are to 'consider it all joy'!
Some other translations say, "consider it wholly joyful"
                                                 "consider yourself happy 
indeed"
                                                 "Reckon it nothing but joy"

Scripture helps us here:
Read Philippians 2:5-8,
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Vs. 5
"Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross." Vs. 8

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the
joy set before Him endured the cross..." Hebrews 12:2

"And we know that God causes all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

When the trials come we need to see them as coming from God for our good.
Our God is a good God and He knows His own.
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is
faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but
with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be
able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Read Psalm 119:67-71 to see what the Psalmist had to say of trials,
"It is good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Thy statutes." Vs. 71

*Trials are inevitable:
Webster's Dictionary defines inevitable as follows:
"Unable to be avoided; certain; necessary; sure to occur; sure to come."

Our verse says, 'when you encounter various trials'
It does not say 'if' but 'when'. They are going to come so do not be
surprised.

Jesus tells the disciples, and us, in John: 16:33,
"...In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the
world." And we see,
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this the victory that
has overcome the world--our faith." 1 John 5:4

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of
your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though
tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7

*The purpose of trials:
'the testing of your faith produces endurance [steadfastness]."

Webster's defines endurance as "the ability or strength to continue despite
adverse conditions."
Steadfastness as "Fixed in direction; firm and unwavering in purpose,
resolution, faith,"

"That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12

"Therefore do not castaway your confidence, which has great reward. For you
have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may
receive the promise." Hebrews 10:35-36

*The goal of trials:
'let endurance have its perfect result' Why? 'that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.' (People perfectly and fully developed.)

Paul tells us in Colossians 1:28,
"And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with
all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ."

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of
glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17

"And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who
called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm,
strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10

We always remember Romans 8:29 which is the purpose of Vs. 28,
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the
image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren."

These things being so -- how can we not give thanks in all things? Giving
thanks keeps us aware of God's presence and reminds us that He is always
there with us in every circumstance! He is mightily at work in His perfect
plan for each of us.

Thank you Lord God Almighty! We love and adore You.   Amen