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. – James 1:2-4
When beleaguered with troubles, another reason not to give up, but hang on is to draw encouragement from the knowledge that every trial is a refining process to produce a better you. Just like there is no promotion from one class to a higher one in schools without passing some tests or examinations, so also is there no sustainable upgrade in life unless one has successfully transited from a mental, emotional and spiritual realm to a higher one.
And it is adverse circumstances, most often than pleasant experiences, that help to facilitate this transition process: refining our character, improving our perspectives and grooming us for future exploits. That is why, according to the passage above, challenges are necessary regimens for development and should not be viewed as fatal.
It will be nice to read how different translations of the Bible render this wisdom:
The Message
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Common English Bible
My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.
Easy-to-Read Version
My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.
Now, isn’t this a good reason to hang on?
You will succeed in Jesus Name!
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