Enduring Trials With Wisdom

The testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:3)

Wisdom instructs us to trust her ways and build our house by training us in the essentials of her circle of knowledge.

Naturally, Folly entices us back to her house by devastating our spirit and capitalizing on our fears; as Wisdom watches, Folly throws a seemingly insurmountable trial in our path that’s meant to test and shake our faith. And yet, we may “consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials” (v. 2).

Further, we are invited to enter the throne room and make a bold request: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him” (v. 5). Wisdom bids us to face the trial head-on with an unflinching and resolute steadfastness born by the Holy Spirit.

Despite our fears and quaking knees, wisdom helps us stand firm in the midst of the trial.

Despite our fears and quaking knees, wisdom helps us stand firm in the midst of the trial. Finding our resolve demands that we pray: implore God for the discernment to navigate the circumstances, which give way to acquiring newfound wisdom about that particular situation . . . and then comes another test. It’s a circle—a dynamo or a fly-wheel—that produces a kingdom energy and dynamic in the believer’s life to accomplish God’s purposes, the building of His kingdom through His set-apart people on earth. And the outcome? “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (v. 12). Still,

No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. (vv. 13–15)

While we are caught here on earth and see things with only partial sight, we may not fully understand why particular trials have come to our doorstep. But Wisdom promises us that one day we will know more and better. We’ll see the great ledger sheet of our lives, with its trials and triumphs, losses and gains, perfectly reconciled and balanced by the Great Judge of the universe, and upon seeing we will be satisfied. His economy is redemption, and His law is justice and mercy given in perfect measure. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures” (vv. 17–18).

This is Wisdom’s eternal mindset.

God will get glory from our trials, just as He brought glory from His own.

Stand fast with joy . . . and see.