“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Paul is telling his brothers and sisters in Christ that it is not if they face trials but when they face trials. Keeping this in mind, he is encouraging them to understand that trials do not produce faith, but tests our faith. The testing is to help us see how much faith we already have. Faith is very important to our walk, just as our heart is very important to our bodies. The devil targets our faith as any enemy would target our heart in battle.
Paul then talks about trials that test our faith producing patience. However, this only happens if we approach the trial with the right attitude because otherwise it will produce bitterness and resentment. Bitterness and resentment do not help us grow in our walk with God, they hinder it.
So as we face trials that test our faith, I pray that we embrace them so that bitterness and resentment do not creep in but that patience is able to be developed. Have a wonderful day.