My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work (effect), that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing. ^{James 1:2-4}

Trials are unexpected experiences, often involving emotional or physical discomfort, distress, or pain. A trial can be minor, like a frustrating encounter with a co-worker, or devastatingly serious, like the loss of everything dear to you. ^{Read Job 1:13-22} Trials are the norm, a feature of life, that affects both the saved and the lost.

God puts us through trials to build our endurance and to test the strength of our faith. Testing brings maturity and develops us throughout our lives into stronger Christians – “perfect and complete, lacking nothing”. Trials can humble us, build dependency on God, and will illuminate what kind of person we are. The depth of conviction in the faith of an untested Christian is unknown, especially to themselves. Fairweather faith is of little value. Faith that has endured adversity is our most precious commodity.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ^{Job 23:10}

We are to face the trials of life with calm delight (joy), being stable in the face of challenges. We can do this because we have confidence in the presence of God. We know that because we love God, all things work to our ultimate good and that all things are in his hands. To successfully navigate trials in a manner pleasing to God will sanctify us to be more like Christ. How we handle trials can be a powerful testimony to the love, power, and peace of God. The Christian way is to present calm, confident competence, which comes from prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. The instinct of the world is to present emotion (anger, fear, panic, irritation, distrust, etc.) and to meet the challenge with expedient solutions that serve the self in pursuit of comfort, at the expense of others if necessary.

The Christian can meet each day with joy and gratitude because in Christ we have the assurance of the best possible outcome. Those who live without Christ are on their own. For them, trials may build character through suffering and hardship, but there is no benefit beyond the grave. For the lost, trials are just bad luck that takes away the joy of life. For the Christian, trials are opportunities to serve God and demonstrate to the world the peace of faith in Christ.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ^{John 16:33}