James 1:2-3

Our writer, James, is Jesus’s brother. He, obviously, younger, but he grew up with Jesus. James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. In verse 1, he says he is writing to the 12 tribes of Jewish believers scattered abroad. So that’s who he was writing to.

We know what the word “WHEN” means, so James is just letting everyone know that we WILL have troubles. He says we need to consider it an opportunity for joy. That’s so hard to do when you are in the midst of something hard, isn’t it?

James calls the troubles a faith test. I, again say, God isn’t the One testing our faith. He isn’t like that. What loving Father hurts His children, thinking it will turn them to Him?

These troubles do build endurance. Endurance is defined as, “The fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc.” When we endure troubles, we can then help others who experience what we went through. That’s how we can turn the hard times around for good.