Answer
Throughout the New Testament, believers are urged to view problems and trials from a heavenly perspective. James says we ought to consider our troubles “an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2) because they produce in us a character quality that is key to staying the course and finishing well: “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3–4).
The word translated as “perseverance” here (hypomonēn in the original Greek) means “the power to withstand hardship or stress, especially the inward fortitude necessary to endure.” Other translations render this noun “steadfastness” (ESV), “endurance” (NLT, CSB), and “patience” (KJV, NKJV). The testing of our faith produces the power and inner stamina necessary to patiently endure hardship and persecution and grow into spiritual maturity.
In a parallel teaching, the apostle Paul asserts, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans 5:3, NLT). The apostle Peter echoes the sentiment: “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world” (1 Peter 4:13, NLT). The writer of Hebrews explains, “For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised” (Hebrews 10:36, HCSB).
Peter also assures us that the testing of our faith through trials proves the genuineness or authenticity of our faith: “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 1:6–7, NLT).
It is one thing to stand firm in our convictions when everything is going well and our faith remains untested. But how do we react when God seems silent, when everything is falling apart, when our hearts are broken, and our dreams are shattered? It’s then that the trials of this life truly test our faith and provide an opportunity to produce perseverance—a steadfast endurance that develops spiritual wholeness and maturity in us. When our confidence in Christ is proven unshakable through the fires of adversity, we can face any situation with joy, determination, and ever-increasing hope. We can trust God to uphold us through it all and reward us in the end.
We let “perseverance finish its work” when we continue to follow Jesus Christ, letting our “roots grow down into him” and our lives to “be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:7, NLT; see also Colossians 1:10–12). Abiding in Christ calls for patient endurance over time and through testing for the work to be done in us (see John 15:4–10; Romans 12:12; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 10:36–38; 2 Peter 1:5–8; Revelation 2:2–3).
The testing of our faith also produces life. Jesus told His disciples that, amid opposition, they should “stand firm, and you will win life” (Luke 21:19). Knowing they would all face intense persecution, Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22; see also Matthew 24:13).
Thankfully, perseverance does not depend solely on our efforts. As followers of Jesus, the Spirit of God is at work in us, giving us the power and strength to persevere (Philippians 2:13; 4:13; Ephesians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:6; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; Hebrews 13:21).
Perhaps one of the best biblical examples of a person who developed spiritual maturity by persevering through severe testing of faith was the Old Testament character Joseph. He was tricked by his brothers and sold into slavery (Genesis 37:1–36), framed by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:12–36), and forgotten in prison (Genesis 40:23). But God was working in Joseph through his hardships, fulfilling a plan to save his family and the future nation of Israel. Yet, it wasn’t until many years later that Joseph could see God’s hand in his trials. But then he could say to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). God permitted the testing of Joseph’s faith to produce perseverance, which finished its work by making him “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” What’s more, Joseph’s determined, steadfast endurance brought about “the saving of many lives.”
