What Everyone Needs To Know About Trials

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James 1:5-12 (KJV)

5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10. But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1. You will be bitter/better depending on your perspective of life (v.5)
   In verse 5 the Greek conjunction "de" begins the sentence. In English, it is the word "But". The KJV leaves this conjunction out, the New American Standard properly translates it. "But if any lack wisdom." In other words, a lack of wisdom brings dissatisfaction in life.
   1. Wisdom is the ability to view things from God's perspective.
      One of God's attributes or qualities of character is "sophia" (wisdom). The reason you become bitter when problems come is a lack wisdom.
      Examples from society: Marriage, character, and freedom --- opposite views by the world and God.
      Examples from Scripture: "The poor are not really poor" --- James 1:9.
      People of "low degree" refers back to verse 1 and those scattered by persecution who have lost it all. "The rich are not really rich" --- James 1:10. Riches do not buy you life, happiness, or contentment. Remember that when problems come.
   2. Wisdom is a great treasure to be sought and possessed.
      If you don't have it --- you will struggle in seeing the big picture. If you don't have it --- you are called upon to ask for it.
2. You will be bitter/better depending on your procedure for asking for wisdom (vs. 6-12).
   "But" is again used as a conjunction in verse 6 connecting it to the previous verse.
   1. Ask in "faith" --- faith is measured not by it's volume, but it's object.
      You are to trust in God's character and purposes for you as being only good. Illustration in Acts 12 of James being arrested/killed, Peter arrested/released. The church prayed for both men. God's purpose were fulfilled both times.
   2. Nothing "wavering" --- (middle voice --- "doubting within yourself")
      This is not wavering about God here, but doubting whether you want God's purpose or not. Phillips translation puts it "Without secret doubts as to whether you really want God's help or not." John Gill says "One who halts between two opinions." I am to not waver between wanting God's best for me and my own wish for comfort. This wavering is more a matter of obedience than a thing of belief --- consistent with James.
   Summary: Face your problems from God's perspective, confident in His character to always do good, committed to His best for your life regardless of personal comfort. Perseverance during persecution and trials is evidence of "a crown of life" laid up in store for you. You don't deserve this crown. It is a gift; but the evidence you have it is perseverance.