Bible verses about "trials" | AUV

³³ I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”

²⁸ And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them].

⁴ But, as ministers of God, we [try to] commend ourselves [to others] in every way. [We do this] by [our] great steadfastness in troubles, hardships and difficulties. ⁵ [We have been] beaten, jailed, and mobbed. [We have] worked hard, missed sleep and gone without food. ⁶ [We have ministered] with purity, knowledge, patience and kindness. [We have done this] by [the power of] the Holy Spirit; out of genuine love; ⁷ by preaching the truth; through the power of God [i.e., possibly including miracles]; and by [using] weapons of righteousness in [our] right and left hands. [Note: This could allude to offensive and defensive weapons and means that Paul was fully equipped to do whatever was right]. ⁸ [We have experienced] honor and dishonor; a bad reputation and a good one. [We have been viewed] as deceivers and yet are genuine;

¹³ Every temptation that you have experienced is one that commonly happens to people. But God is dependable and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability [to cope with it]; [instead] He will provide, along with the temptation, also a way of escaping [it], so you people will be able to endure it.

¹ [This letter is from] James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, [who sends] greetings to the twelve tribes which are scattered throughout the world. [Note: This refers to Christians, probably of Jewish descent]. ² Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, ³ because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance. ⁴ And you [should] allow your perseverance to complete its work, so that you will be perfect and complete, [and] not lacking in anything. ⁵ But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who gives to everyone generously and does not begrudge [the person who asks], and it will be given to him. ⁶ But he should ask in faith, without doubting, because the person who doubts [that he will receive wisdom] is like an ocean wave that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that [doubting] person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord [through prayer], ⁸ because he is double-minded and undecided in all that he does [i.e., he cannot make up his mind and follow through about anything]. ⁹ But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God]. ¹⁰ And the wealthy person [should be happy] that he is humbled [by God], because he will pass away like a flower [blossoming] from grass. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass [so that] its flower [blossoms] fall off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the wealthy person will fade away as he goes about his business [affairs]. ¹² The person who perseveres under trials is blessed, because when he has been approved by God, he will receive the crown of [never ending] life, which God has promised to those who love Him. ¹³ No one should say when he is tempted, “God is tempting me,” because God cannot be tempted by evil and He does not tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own evil desire. ¹⁵ Then, when the evil desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And when sin is fully grown, it produces [spiritual] death. ¹⁶ [So], do not be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. ¹⁷ Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same]. ¹⁸ It was God’s purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of “firstfruits” of those He created. [Note: “Firstfruits” here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God’s creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come]. ¹⁹ You people [already] know this [or, “you should know this”], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry. ²⁰ For the anger of people does not produce what God considers to be right. ²¹ Therefore, you should put away [from you] all moral filth and overflowing wickedness and humbly receive the word [of God], planted within you [by the Holy Spirit. See John 16:8], which is capable of saving your souls. ²² But you should not deceive yourselves by just listening [to God’s word] instead of doing what the word teaches. ²³ For if anyone is [only] a listener to the word and does not practice it, he is like a person who sees his natural face in a mirror, ²⁴ and [then after] he sees himself, [he] goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so. ²⁶ If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, this person is self-deceived and his religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that is pure and uncorrupted in the eyes of [our] God and Father involves taking care of orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world.

¹² The person who perseveres under trials is blessed, because when he has been approved by God, he will receive the crown of [never ending] life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

¹² Loved ones, do not be surprised that you people are undergoing extremely difficult trials, as though something strange were happening to you, for it is [only] a test [of your faith]. ¹³ You should rejoice that you are sharing some of what Christ has suffered, so that you will get to rejoice all the more when He returns in His splendor.

³ And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance; ⁴ and endurance [produces God’s] approval; and [His] approval [produces] hope. ⁵ And [having such] hope keeps us from being disappointed, because God’s love [for us] has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us [by God].

² Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, ³ because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance. ⁴ And you [should] allow your perseverance to complete its work, so that you will be perfect and complete, [and] not lacking in anything.