1. The Truth About Trials James 1:2-12

2. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faithproduces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

3. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 

4. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heatand withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

5. There are four operative verbs that help us respond to trials:- Count - A Joyful Attitude James 1:2 Know -An Understanding Mind James 1:3 Let - A Surrendered Will James 1:4, 9-11 Ask - A Heart that Wants to Believe James 1:5-8

6. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.” 1Peter 4:12,13

7. Count - A Joyful Attitude James 1:2 Know -An Understanding Mind James 1:3

8. Count - A Joyful Attitude James 1:2 Know -An Understanding Mind James 1:3 Let - A Surrendered Will James 1:4, 9-11

9. Eph. 2:8-10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

10. A. For us –– this is salvation. Jesus completed his work on the cross
A. For us –– this is salvation. Jesus completed his work on the cross.  B. In Us ––We are His workmanship or literally his masterpiece. This is sanctification. God builds our character and we become more like Jesus. C. Through us –– This is service. He has created us anew so that we can to the good things he planned for us long ago.

11. Count - A Joyful Attitude James 1:2 Know -An Understanding Mind James 1:3 Let - A Surrendered Will James 1:4, 9-11 Ask - A Heart that Wants to Believe James 1:5-8

12. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.