His Ambassador Blog

Deep within the surface of earth, somewhere around the upper mantle, there are incredibly high temperatures. National Geographic describes how just this layer of our earth’s core can heat up to anywhere between 1800 and 6000 degrees! At this level, diamonds are formed. Initially, I could not understand how that made sense. I’ve always thought diamonds seemed fragile and breakable. But only under the right conditions can a diamond be formed. Everything up here sits on that upper mantle. So, within that layer, there is so much pressure. The weight of the world quite literally sits on diamonds formed here. But it is just that, the astonishingly hot temperatures and the intense pressure, that allow diamonds to form.

James wrote his letter to Christians of his time who were facing trials for their faith and in need of some encouragement. Now more than ever, I believe we are also in need of this wisdom and encouragement that God provides through James in this letter. Chapter one, verse two says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” In this context, temptations are the trials that we face in this life. It might seem silly to think that we should be joyful for the things that are trying to drag us down and make things difficult. How is it even possible to consider the mountains we face as…joy?

If we read verses three and four, we can find the answer to that question, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The trials and hardships we face during our time on this earth are meant to build character. When our faith is tried, when our trust and belief in God are tested, our souls will increase in patience. We will grow with a heart that can endure the punches and the crazy things the enemy will try and throw our way. Jesus reminds us that we are not going to have it easy. John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We will have trials. You may be facing some of your own right now. It’s not easy to want to turn to God, especially if you feel like you are all alone in the middle of the stormy sea. You might feel like God doesn’t hear your cry, or like He isn’t listening. But He hears every sorrow and sees every tear. We can have peace in Him, even when there is not peace around us. We can also know that God will use those life-altering tribulations to better us and to grow our relationship with Him.

Patience will bring us to perfection. Perfection, in this context, does not mean without fault. Perfect means, “complete.” With a tried faith, we can become complete. God above is the one who makes all things complete. Our faith will grow when we are put in situations that force it to grow. I’ve learned that when we step out of our comfort zone this is when we can experience that growth. This could look like going to a new place, talking to a new person, and doing something new.

So yes, we can consider those trials as joy. Because even though these times are stressful, terrifying, and difficult, trials also make room for growth, strengthen you, and build you into the person God has designed for you to be. If you find yourself asking, “God, why is this happening to me? What are these trials for?” Remind yourself of these verses in James. God is working in you to become that perfect diamond. The one that has faced pressure and heat but comes to look as breathtaking as possible.