My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3

Christians are often told, “Be careful what you pray for!” 

If we pray for patience, we will likely encounter interruptions, delays, and distractions. If we pray for generosity, we will likely meet with people or situations that could benefit from our what we have. And if we pray for perseverance, we will likely experience trials and tribulations. In other words, character traits are usually developed by situations which test those traits in our life.

When James wrote his letter to believers who had been scattered abroad, he told them that the testing of their faith would produce patience (or perseverance, in some translations). And that patience has a goal – our spiritual and emotional maturity. Immature people become discouraged easily. Therefore, we need experiences which will teach us not to become discouraged and will make us more mature. Another way of saying “maturity” is Christlikeness. God uses everything in life—especially the hard things—to conform us to the image of Christ.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans 8:28,29.

If we are experiencing troubles or trials today, let’s look for how we might grow more mature by exercising patience and perseverance. And be careful how you pray!

We persevere through faith and never apart from it. – Sinclair Ferguson