My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 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. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-7
For a long time I read the popular passage from the book of James (shown above) as two separate thoughts that just happened to be written close together: one about trials, and the other about wisdom. Recently I've come to see that they are related because, in fact, we need the wisdom of God when we are undergoing trials. To begin with, we will need the wisdom of God to understand what the source of our trial is and to choose the correct response. Without the wisdom of God we may expend energy and time fighting the wrong battle, or using the wrong strategy and simply allowing ourselves to become weary with little to no progress.
In this new year, you and I are sure to fall into new trials - and we are perhaps still going through ongoing trials. Go through the trials with the knowledge that God uses them to test and build an increasingly resilient faith in Him. This faith will make you bold on the Day of Christ's appearing and will not be regretted. Only remember this open invitation to ask and receive God's wisdom. It may make all the difference.
O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.
2 Chronicles 20:12
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