Part 2 Trials & Perseverance (James 1:12)

I wanted to start part 2, from my Blog Post "Our Trials are more precious than gold ( 1Peter 1:7) on another verse that was mentioned in that post and that is James 1:12. Let's take a look at this verse and break it down and what it means and how it can help us as we are tested.

I will share a few different translations so you can get a better understanding, ( some of my favorite as mentioned before are: CJB, ESV, & Hebraic Roots Bible.)

Below I was able to get, ( You can also find different translations and notes and thing's on : https://www.bibleref.com/James/1/James-1-12.html

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James 1:12

ESV Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

NIV 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.

NASB Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

CSB Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

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These are just a few I found, there is of course more different translations but to give you an idea, we can look at the above veres, and see what pops out to you about this? Persevere. It is about Enduring through our trials, and if we pass out test(s), what do we get as believers? we get the Crown of Life.

What a blessing, we are blessed for our obedience to YAHUVEH GOD, to YAHUSHUA (JESUS), and YAH promises blessings which you can also read about in Deut 28 for obeying HIM.

Another word that pops out above is Steadfast. What does it mean to be Steadfast?

lets take a look at the definition: steadfast /stĕd′făst″, -fəst/

adjective

1. Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving. synonym: faithful.

   
   

   Similar: faithful

2. Fixed or unchanging.

3. Fixed or unmovable.

   "steadfast boulders in the stream."

   
   

   We can also look at the definition of Perseverance:

   
   

   perseverance

   noun

   per·​se·​ver·​ance ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s 

   Synonyms of perseverance

   : continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness

   
   

   You can see that, the two are similar to each other. Also Faithful is a similar word, as you can see above and loyal. When we are facing test's, trials, and walking through the fire, it's important that we remain steadfast, and keep firm in our Faith and Trust in YAH.

   
   
   
   

   What does James 1:12 mean?

   
   

   Often when we are suffering through a difficult season, we can’t see the forest for the trees. We lose sight of the bigger picture. James urged us to open our eyes to GOD's perspective so we might see the divine purpose behind the trials we face.

   
   

   That is why he wrote, “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” (James 1:12, NIV).

   
   
   
   

   The Greek word James chose (makarios), translated as “blessed,” means more than simply being happy or fortunate. It speaks of someone who has been highly favored with grace from GOD.

   
   

   The adjective describes an inner joy that is undisturbed by outward circumstances because it comes from resting and trusting in the Lord (Romans 15:13). Jesus used the same term repeatedly throughout the Beatitudes to describe the life of a citizen in GOD’s kingdom (Matthew 5:3–12). This person’s life is blessed and fulfilling because it is lived under the King’s rule and according to His kingdom’s precepts.

   
   
   
   

   The verb perseveres in James 1:12 means “faces and withstands with courage, endures.” James is not saying that experiencing a trial is a blessing in itself

   
   

   Instead, it is steadfast endurance through the ordeal that brings God’s blessed gift—“the crown of life.” God has reserved an extraordinary blessing for those who serve Him faithfully and suffer for Him (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 3:11). Jesus Himself promised to give the crown of life to those who suffer persecution “even to the point of death” (Revelation 2:10).

   
   
   
   

   The blessings gained through trials are not only for the distant future but also for the here and now. When we embrace problems from heaven’s viewpoint, we recognize the opportunities for personal growth and spiritual enrichment they can produce in us. Earlier in his letter, James wrote, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2–4, NLT).

   
   
   
   

   The author of Hebrews considered trials God’s way of disciplining us “for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Discipline is unpleasant, but “later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (verse 11, ESV).

   
   

I also want to point out that HE allows trials to help shape and mold us also and to also allow our Faith to grow. It also helps build our Trust and relying on HIM, Which is important.

We can persevere through trials with a better, more positive attitude when we keep God’s end goal in view. The apostle Peter offered a similar incentive to persist: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:6–8, NLT).

The apostle Paul encouraged us by example to preserve through trials: “We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us” (2 Corinthians 6:4–7, NLT). With the laser-focused determination of an Olympian athlete, Paul set his sights on the goal of finishing the race and winning the heavenly prize (Philippians 3:12–14; 1 Corinthians 9:24–25; 2 Corinthians 4:8–12; 11:23–27).

As we struggle through hardships, we will do well to remember that “blessed is the man who perseveres under trial.” God is at work in us, imparting strength, character, endurance, and divine graces as He leads us toward the ultimate blessing of the crown of life in our eternal home with Him.

I think the manjor lesson we can learn throughout trials in our lifes, is what does YAHUVEH GOD, want to teach me? What is it that HE wants me to learn? and also, checking and examining yourself and seeing how your attitude and behaivor is while you are going through the test or trial. There is always something we can take and learn when HE allows certain thing's to happen in our lifes.

Something else I want to share on this topic is, what 3 major things can we do that will help us in these seasons in our lifes?

1. Worship & praise

2. Prayer

3. Reading Scripture & reflecting on it and really beleiving what HIS Word says, and claiming Victory.

What thing's have helped you when faced with a test or trial? how has it helped your grown spiritually?

What thing's can we learn from James 1:12?