James writes us as a family of God that we should see trials as JOY.

We may ask how can this be?   Without mincing words trials are not joyful. How can we be joyful in them?

LOOKING AT OUR PAST TRIALS

1] The trying of our faith worketh patience.

• Patience looks forward to better things
• Patience looks beyond today`s clouds to sunshine

2] Jesus has set the example at the cross [Heb.12:2]

• The pain and shame of the cross made it a terrible trial
• Jesus looked beyond these to the joy that would follow

3] JOY WAS AHEAD FOR JESUS AFTER THE CROSS

• He would have the joy of His resurrection and the ascension to the Father
• He would have the joy of the coming Rapture and His kingdom
• He would have the joy of the millions saved and sharing heaven with Him

4] WE CAN LOOK FOR THE POTENTIAL FOR GOOD IN OUR TRIALS [V5]

i] There are lessons to be learned in our trials

ii] There are changes to be made in us [Romans 8:28-29]

iii] We need wisdom to understand what God is doing in our trials:

• We can ask for this wisdom and receive it
• Our Lord imparts this wisdom freely to those who ask for it

5] WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO US DURING TRIALS?

• God may be developing new attitudes in us through trials
• God may be activating some talents in us through trials
• God may impart wisdom through another person to us

6] WE CAN LOOK TO THE POWER OF PRAYER IN OUR TRIALS [V6-8]

i] We are invited to ask for help in trials [Heb 4:15]:

• Grace to help is available in our trials
• This grace is available in the time of need

ii] God is there to hear and answer us in our trials:

• Consider the disciples in the storm [Mark 4:35-41]
• Consider Mary and Martha at the death of Lazarus [John 11]

iii] We can pray and ask others to pray

iv] Faith grows through answered prayer during trials

CONCLUSION

1] We can look to the Prize that awaits after our trials [v12]:

• All our trials are temporary
• Our Lord offers salvation by faith and He offers eternal rewards

2] For those who trust in Jesus, the best is yet to come