Strong Faith During Trials
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - James 1:2-8
Introduction
What this passage teaches us
Trials serve as the stimulus of our faith
A faith that God requires of us, a faith that is what pleases Him
Trials encourage a continuing dependence upon God and maturation toward the greater worship of God
How do we do this?
We must turn to God in the prayer of faith for divine wisdom.
Wisdom from God is the special gift from above that strengthens faith.
In these verses contrasts are set up between faith and doubt.
As we will see in the next chapter, the great problem is not unbelief but inactive faith (cf. 2:18).
Faith is not so much a means of accomplishment, but rather a means by which to become open to the instructive wisdom of God.
Faith in Trials
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James encourages us to embrace our trials not for what they are, but for what God could accomplish through them.
When you are going through a trial, you consider it joy because God has chosen you and is conforming you
You are trying to move from this side of life, the trial, to the other side, your deliverance
God doesn’t intend for you to get to that other side in the same state you find yourself now
In every trial there is preparation for greater things God has planned for you.
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
God intends for them to result in a mature and complete faith
Perseverance is faith’s first product.
Unlike our salvation, which occurs instantly, perseverance, though essential to faith, is not infused immediately in a moment of conversion.
It is through great trials that our perseverance is built
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
To have it’s full effect is when our walk matches our talk
This is fruit of a faith
Again, perseverance is faith’s first product
Now there’s a maturation, and a full effect evident in us
Perfect
It’s not perfection in the sense of we’ve made it
It’s a purpose that is under construction or in process
Complete
The use of perfect and complete implies a gradual process of adding virtue upon virtue until one is “not lacking anything.”
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Wisdom is required because the faithful do not always know how to persevere
To request wisdom in the midst of trial is precisely what God intends for his people.
Wisdom also is necessary to endure the testing of faith
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
God is always the source of the power of faith.
This doubting is not about the existence of God,but about what kind of God the believer serves.
True faith is what it is because God is who he is.
To waver is not a problem of doubting the existence of God.
Faith must trust in God without hesitating.
This hearkens back to the temptations of Israel in the wilderness, always looking back to Egypt while looking forward to God (also Lot’s wife in Gen 19:26).
This doubting then is the believer holding back from acting.
Keeping faith with God is the issue.
Doubt then is an act of distrust when action is called for by the loving God
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Faith is polluted by doubt and persistent doubt nullifies faith.
The doubting believer holds back from active trust.
Prayer as the Key
Prayer is what will activate our faith
When we pray, our faith starts to move
When we pray, our faith starts to move, and in that faith, we ask God for wisdom
Prayer is the catalyst for faith, wisdom, and joy
What Prayer Isn’t
A Last Resort
It’s meant to be our first response
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. - Colossians 4:2
A Quick Fix
It’s not a shortcut but a lifestyle
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. - I Peter 5:6-7
A Substitute for Obedience
We can’t pray our way out of disobedience
15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you;even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:15–17
What Prayer Is
Prayer is an Active Relationship with God
Just speak honestly as you would to a trusted friend
Jesus said not to heap up empty phrases, so say what’s really on your heart.
Prayer is an Act of Dependence
Include Both Speaking and Listening
After pouring out your heart, pause. Sit quietly for a moment and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to hear?”
Prayer is a Source of Strength
Use Scripture as your words
If you don’t know what to say, read a Psalm or a passage and turn it into prayer.
For example, “The Lord is my shepherd…” can become “God, shepherd me today. Lead me in the right paths.” (Psalm 23).
Praying God’s Will
What It Means to Pray God’s Will
It means seeking alignment with God’s heart, not bending Him to ours.
It means praying from Scripture so that our desires are reshaped.
It means letting prayer change us more than it changes our circumstances.
And it means trusting that His answers—even when delayed or different—are the best.
How to Pray God’s Will
Start With Surrender
Begin every prayer with a posture of openness—hold your desires before Him, but submit the outcome to His plan.
41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” - Luke 22:41-42
Ask for Wisdom to Know God’s Will
We begin by recognizing we don’t see clearly and must request divine guidance.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
Pray with Right Motives
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. - James 4:3
Rely on the Holy Spirit’s Intercession
When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit helps us.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. - Romans 8:26-28