Faith in Trials Equals Patience

Read: James 1:2-8

What a great passage of scripture! There is so much to be learned from these 7 verses, but I will only touch on a few key points. James, the author, identifies the importance of patience. Also, he gives us some insight on how trials are important to us as Christians and should be a time of celebration. Last, I will point out how faith in God is our biggest and most important advantage that most of us just disregard.

Patience is very hard for most Christians to learn yet is a very essential part of our growth as Christians. James writes in verse 4, “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete.” What does James mean by “perfect and complete”? Perfect, meaning you have reached the end, and complete, meaning you are now whole (Thomas Nelson, Inc). The basic meaning to all of this is that, if you are patient with God’s perfect plan, and endure the trials, as they are placed at your feet, with patience then you will become “perfect and complete” or “to the end and whole” in the sight of God.

Trials can be defined as: “Of outward circumstances – conflicts, sufferings, and troubles – encountered by all believers.” (Thomas Nelson, Inc). Trials are not the most popular events in the world, and I am sure they are not on the top of anyone’s list to do. But the fact of the matter is that trials are an essential part of spiritual growth for all Christians. We need trials to teach us about patients and to test the strength of our faith because without these troublesome and sometimes very extreme events we could not grow closer and stronger in Christ Jesus.

The last point I would like to point out, though certainly not least by any means, is our faith as Christians. It is sad that most Christians, when stricken with extreme trials, either lose their faith or even far worse stop believing in the power of faith all together. It is very important for us as Christians to remember that it is our faith in Christ Jesus that will help us to prevail through any trial and everyday life. The strength of our faith is often tested through trials, and when we lose our faith we are then subject to even more extreme trials. The stronger your faith the stronger you become as a Christian and the more you can grow spiritually as a Christian.

I suppose, when you put all this together, you could say that Faith + Trials = Patience. What a simple equation to help remember how it all fits together. To simplify once again and summarize, faith is tested by trials and teaches us patience’s. So, what this teaches as with any equation is when faith is taken away or you are not enduring any trials then, we lose patience and fail to thrive in our spiritual growth as Christians. Now, I am not saying life as a Christian will be a constant state of turmoil, but I am saying you should expect trials in life as a test to your faith. When you receive these trials celebrate and be thankful for your patience will grow (strengthen) along with your spiritual connection to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. "NKJV Study Bible 2nd Edition." Thomas Nelson, Inc. NKJV Study Bible 2nd Edition. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 1997, 2007. 543-546.

We Will All Be Children of God

Read - Romans 8:16-17; Galatians: 4:6-7


Here are a few questions for you to think about prior to reading today’s devotion. Once in Heaven will I still know my kids and spouse? If my spouse dies and I remarry, which spouse will I belong to in Heaven? Will I even know my family once I am in Heaven? I have heard questions like these along the years and have often wondered myself about some of them, but one day God just hit me with the answer. After that day it became as clear to me, what the answers to all of these questions are, as a glass of purified water.


So, what are the answers to these questions? As you have already read in the scripture reference, you see that once you are saved you become an heir of God. An heir of God, how awesome is that! You are not a slave or a servant, but an heir, which simply means you are a child of God.

Now, what does all of this have to do with the questions, I had you ponder over before reading this. It is simple, as we relate here on earth to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, that is exactly what we are, and once we are all in Heaven we are still brothers and sisters. It is kind of a wait a minute moment, but yes, no matter what relationship status we had here on earth, once in Heaven we are all joint heirs with Christ and are all brothers and sisters.

I believe the only question left to answer is, “Will I even know my family once I am in Heaven?” I am going to say yes, but not in the way we know them now. I believe that we will all know each other because we will all be family, brothers and sisters, in Heaven. I also, believe that, even though we know each other, it will be in a totally different way of how we know each other.

So to sum it all up, when you are saved by the Grace of God you become a joint heir with Jesus Christ. This means when we all get to Heaven, we will all be brothers and sisters in one big family with God as our Father to us all. Yes, we will know each other in Heaven as brothers and sisters living in total peace and harmony worshiping God, our Father, for delivering us from eternal damnation and being the wonderful gracious Father He is.

Daily Verses

-Romans 8:16-17 NKJ
[16] The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.


-Galatians 4:6-7 NKJ
[6] And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” [7] Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.