Turning Trials Into Triumph
James 1:2-8
I. “COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS” (1:2)
A. NOTICE THAT JAMES ASSUMES THAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE TRIALS…
1. Some trials come simply because we are human
2. Other trials come because we are Christians
B. WHAT IS TO BE THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSE? – “COUNT IT ALL JOY!”

II. “KNOWING THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE” (1:3)
A. THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE VALUE OF TRIALS MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A JOYFUL ATTITUDE…
a. Trials test our faith
b. Faith tested can bring out the best in us!
B. SPECIFICALLY, FAITH TESTED PRODUCES “PATIENCE”…
a. “Patience” is NOT a passive acceptance of circumstances
III. “LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK” (1:4)
A. TO TRULY TURN TRIALS INTO TRIUMPH, WE MUST LET “PATIENCE” DO ITS WORK…
B. FOR WHEN PATIENCE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK, IT PRODUCES “MATURITY”!

IV. “LET HIM ASK OF GOD” (1:5-8)
A. IF WE LACK WISDOM, ASK FOR IT FROM GOD!
B. WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS “WISDOM”?
a. Knowledge involves information, facts, etc.
b. Wisdom is the ability or insight to properly use those facts in the most expeditious way
C. THE WISDOM TO PROPERLY USE TRIALS AND TURN THEM INTO TRIUMPH CAN LIKEWISE COME THROUGH “PROPER” PRAYER…