Answer
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).
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.
