God’s plan for overcoming difficult circumstances

To test the genuineness of a diamond, jewelers often place it in clear water. This causes a real diamond to sparkle with brilliance. An imitation stone, on the other hand, will have almost no sparkle at all. When the two are placed side by side, even an untrained eye can easily tell the difference. God allows difficulties to come into our lives to test the genuineness of our faith. How a person handles trouble will reveal whether his faith is living or dead, genuine or imitation, saving or nonsaving.

Difficult circumstances come into our lives for many reasons. Tough times cause Christians to focus upon heaven. Trials enable us to better help others in their difficulties. Difficulties wean the believer away from the world. Most importantly, they test the strength of our faith. Trials are very productive. Therefore, it is essential to respond properly to them. How can you stand tall even in tough times? James 1:2-12 reveals five keys for overcoming trials.

The first key is a joyful attitude. James, the half brother of Jesus, begins, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. …” (verse 2). Christians are commanded to look upon their difficulties with “all joy.”

Warren Wiersbe said, “Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and the physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy!’ If we live only for the present and not for the future, the trials will make us bitter, not better.”

Believers understand that all things work together for God’s glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

The second key is an understanding mind. James continues in verse 3, “… knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” The word translated endurance is a very important Greek word. It is the Greek word hupomone. Hupomone sounds like “heap of money,” but it is not. What you need in life is not a heap of money but hupomone. Hupomone is, tenacity, resilience, patience, endurance. It is a never say die attitude.

Vince Lombardi coached the Green Bay Packers to many victories in the 1960s. He said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”

Therefore, he pushed his players to be in excellent physical condition. The fourth quarter always belonged to the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi’s practices were so difficult that the games were comparatively easy. The Lord Jesus uses difficult, overwhelming circumstances to make you stronger. The Apostle Paul said, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [hupomone].” (Romans 5:3).

The third key to overcoming trials is a submissive will. Verse 4 reads, “And let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” God cannot do His “perfect and complete” work in and through you without your willing submissiveness. Our gracious heavenly Father uses trials not to harm but to strengthen and perfect us. We must be motivated to embrace them as beneficial.

Growing up my mother often said to me, “Ethan, there are many people who never learn the lessons God has for them. They run around the track over and over again, wearing out one pair of running shoes after another, because they are not willing to learn. Learn the lessons God has for you the first time.”

The fourth key is a believing heart. Verse 5 says, “But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” You must believe that God will give the wisdom and the resources that you need. In the Bible God responded to every single person who put their faith and trust in him. God the Father has already done the greater task for you. He sent his son, Jesus, to die for you. He will take care of you. Everything you need will be provided.

Verse 6 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” Verse 8 warns the person who doesn’t trust God is “a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Not trusting God is like a two headed monster. One day he goes one way. The next day he goes the other way. He is always torn. Philippians 4:19 reads, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

The fifth key for overcoming trials is a humble spirit. Verse 9 says, “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation….” In order to mature you, God has a program of suffering for every believer. Verses 9-11 teach that it is God’s will for some people to be poor. It is his plan for some Christians to be wealthy. Whatever God’s will for your life, you must embrace it. A materially poor believer should rejoice in his spiritual riches. A Christian who is materially well off and healthy should rejoice when trials come because they remind him that life is short.

Verse 11 teaches that all flesh is like grass. Life is short. Eternity is long. Jesus has the answers. Jesus, the eternal God, entered this world as the God Man at his birth in Bethlehem. As God, he offered an infinite sacrifice on the cross for your sins.

As man, he was able to die. He died that you might live. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Ethan Hansen is pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. Contact him at ethanchansen@gci.net.