My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8 NET)

How do you respond to hard times? Do you try to run from them? Do you grin and bear it, hoping it will soon pass?

These are pretty normal responses for anyone. But have you ever rejoiced over them?

As strange as it may sound at first, that is what we are told to do in the above passage. Why? Because trials ultimately make us better people.

God allows trials to test the strength of our faith. It is not enough to just endure, but to "let endurance have its perfect effect." The word translated "let . . . have" is in the imperative mood. It commands us to allow endurance to work in us.

Let's relate this to raising children, particularly of the preschool variety! A preschooler's day is filled with moments of disobedience, much to the chagrin of his or her parents. Dealing with adults or even older children is one thing, as they are reasoning individuals. A preschooler, however, tries mommy's and daddy's patience because they continue to disobey no matter how many times they are told how to behave.

Some parents may run away from the source of frustration, whether by leaving physically or giving in to the child's wishes. Others act out in anger verbally or physically. Still others harbor anger that festers inside toward the child, which is just as much a sin as acting out.

If we try to look at it from the perspective of James 1 instead, we might find help for both ourselves and our children. First, we know this test is intended to bring endurance. We need to persevere to the end, not running away.

Next we note that to really get something out of the experience, we can't be running away mentally, either. We need productive endurance; an endurance that produces a lesson learned--not just a sigh of relief. As we work through the experience we need to continually ask what God wants us to do and what God wants us to learn, seeking wisdom from Him about how to approach the child in a way that will reach him or her.

From this productive endurance we will become a person who is closer to completion in Christ. And that's something worth rejoicing about!

Application
The next time you're going through a trial, remember it is not something to merely endure. Meditate on the situation throughout the day, asking God to make clear what He wants to show you. Take notes. (Maybe you can journal or even blog about it.) Then when God brings someone to your path who is struggling with the same thing, ask if you can share your experience and what you learned.