Testing Produces Perseverance

“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.” (James 1:2-3)  

According to the dictionary, a test is a procedure for critical evaluation; a means of determining the presence, quality, or truth of something; a trial. Testing, although often unpleasant, is an important step to moving ahead in something. According to the passage above, testing your faith produces perseverance. It keeps you from sliding backward and helps you persevere, especially in the face of trials.

Considering testing pure joy

Testing is rarely a pleasant experience, but you have to look beyond it to the positive results it achieves. The promise in the above passage is about being able to see the positive side of testing, which is achieving the quality of perseverance, which is not failing in faith. And that is something to be very joyful about.

Therefore

“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.” (James 1:12) 

“so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:7)