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.”  NIV

The word rendered trial in this version and temptation in most others is “peirasmos” which means to “put to proof by experiment and experience.”  Trials and temptations are, in reality, tests through which we grow, experience, develop and learn.  If we learn the lesson well we do not find ourselves taking another lap around the mountain and can move on to the next test and lesson to be learned in our maturation spiritually.

James calls the person who perseveres in the process a blessed individual.  The reason is that when we have going through the trial, passed the test we triumph and receive the Crown of Life.  That is the prize of the high calling Paul was speaking of in Philippians 3:14 and is the objective for which we are reaching.

I have dealt with people experiencing various trials and/or temptations and many would lament, “Why is God doing this to me?”  The reality is that God is not doing anything to us it is a condition or door we opened in our lives.  It could be a Job-like experience in which we are being tested where God has lifted His hand momentarily and conditionally allowing the enemy to come in like a flood.  The key is NEVER GIVE UP!  If we persevere and having done all to stand, stand we will find that the prize far outweighs the tribulation.

Life is filled with twists and turns.  Life is filled with trials and I am convinced that there will be tests, trials and temptations as long as we walk on planet earth and draw breath, in the natural.  However we can face whatever may come with the confidence that we are not alone.  We have the promise of the LORD to never leave nor forsake us.  We are assured that we are more than conquerors through Him and that we can do all things through Christ who is our strength.

The presence of trials in your life is not an indication that God is mad at your or sending evil upon you.  James declares that God is not tempted by evil and does not tempt anyone.  He informs us that temptation comes out of the depravity of our human hearts.  Therefore, many of the trails we face in life have arisen because we have opened or left open a door of opportunity for the devil to enter.  I have long taught that we need to regularly check the doors to be sure they are closed and locked.  In the natural we would not leave our houses unlocked nor should we leave our spiritual houses with unlocked doors through which the enemy can enter.

The trials come and bring a test that once we have endured or persevered we move closer to the ultimate prize of God the Crown of Life!   May God be with you and richly bless you as you go through this beautiful day in Him!