“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
various
Christians fall into “various” or variegated trials. We do not face trouble on one front but many fronts. We encounter diversified, manifold trials. The word “various” carried the idea of many-colored. The trial comes in all shapes and colors. There are many hues to the trials of a Christian.
Principle:
God allows all shapes of trials to come into our lives to develop different aspects of our character.
Application:
The Christian must cope with all kinds of trials. The emphasis is not on the number but the variety of trials we face. Everyone has trials and has them regularly and in different ways. We face the loss of loved ones in death, loss of financial expectations, misunderstanding, broken relationships, criticism, or judgment from others.
Christians will also face trouble because of their testimony. We should expect this, and it should be no surprise. God wants to test the effectiveness of our faith.
Sometimes our problems come in the form of people. Some people are blatantly infuriating. We might face financial problems. Some might miss out on a great career opportunity. All these areas try our faith.
“Yet man is born to trouble,
As the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).
“Man who is born of woman
Is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
“Be not far from Me,
For trouble is near;
For there is none to help” (Psalm 22:11).
