Beautiful Word Devotional #254

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.

James 1:4

What comes to mind when you hear the word perseverance? Maybe you think about hanging in when marriage is tough, the job is hardly satisfying, or the financial pressure isn’t easing up. These are some of the trials we can encounter in a fallen world, and James was talking about such trials when he offered this encouragement.

To better understand the point James was making, read the context of today’s verse: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (vv. 2–3). Life’s trials are both the training ground and the testing ground for our faith.

So, amid trials, may we choose the perspective of faith and remind ourselves that our God is sovereign and wise. As gym members say, “No pain, no gain.” The pain of life’s trials can yield the gain of spiritual maturity and strength.

Lord, it’s hard to endure these trials. I trust you to give me strength and help me persevere as—however counterintuitive it seems—you use these days to grow my faith in you, amen.