Today, I’d like for us to look at advice right from the Bible in James 1.  Hard times, trials come to all of us.  What is the Lord’s prescription to look at trials joyfully?  Is that really possible?

F first we need to reflect on the purpose of trials. It might surprise you to know that God has a purpose in bringing us through trials. Knowing that trials have a purpose can make a big difference in how we face the hard times we’re going through. God has not abandoned us. In fact, the hard time may be the best evidence that He is at work in us for our good. The hard time of trials also results in our maturity. God is building into us all we need to get through trials. Knowing that God has a purpose for our trials gives us hope, strength and helps us to be strong under the pressure.

The second key to facing our difficulties is to trust in the Lord during the trial. James tells us that if we lack wisdom we simply need to ask God. If we seek God’s wisdom, he will give it to us generously. Trusting God during the hard times means that we seek and ask and come to Him.

The next key to facing the hard times that come our way is to take a look at the big picture, not just the trial.  We need to see that some of the things we think are so important are not really that important at all.

Another key to handling the hard times is to focus on the reward that we will receive for enduring the trial. James tells us we are to be those who have "stood the test." That phrase can also be translated by the word "approved." This word in Greek is found on the pottery in Jesus’ day. If the pottery made it through the fire without cracking or breaking, it was inscribed with the Greek word dokimos (approved). If it passed through the fire and cracked, they inscribed it adokimos (not approved). I want the reward of being stamped “approved.”  I also want that for my children.

James tells us at the very beginning "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." God is at work in our trials. Our trials come to make us better not bitter. And how we respond makes all the difference.

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.