3 Good Things That Come From Trials

– Woodrow Kroll

Remaining Steadfast

James is Jesus’ half-brother and must have seen or at least heard how much Jesus suffered in pain and humiliation, so James could write, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial” (James 1:12a). If you are getting hit hard by trials, don’t let them beat you down but lift you up because we know that the man or woman who remains steadfast in trials will be blessed if they remain steadfast under the trial.

Enduring the Trial

We can only endure our trials if we realize that nothing happens to us unless it first passes through the nail-pierced hands of Jesus Christ. It’s not like He says, “Oops, how did that happen?” Rather, it’s, “Will they remain steadfast during this trial?” If we endure today’s trials, maybe it’s because we’re living with the end in mind, or as the Apostle Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18). Whatever it is that’s blowing you over, don’t let it keep you down but lift you up.

The Crown of Life

My youngest brother was told by his barber that it’s about impossible to cut his hair because he has three crowns on the back of his head. It made it impossible for the barber to comb it because where do you start coming when you’ve got three crowns to start with? For the believer, there’s only one crown that’s important and it is promised by God as James wrote, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12), so “when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1st Pet 5:4).

Conclusion

Can we believe what Woodrow Kroll wrote in saying, “Don’t let your trials blow you down; let them lift you up?” You can if you remain steadfast under trials and if you endure the trials in this life. These bring a blessing, they build perseverance, and in time, those who endure will receive the crown of life.