Trials have a habit of making us think soberly about life and help us to see that we lack wisdom. God has a habit of generously giving wisdom to those who ask Him, but James reminds us that faith will be an essential pre-requisite. Wisdom will also be needed to live in this world where the rich seem to have status over the poor. James has something to say about that too.

The practical and helpful letter of James begins where it most hurts. Trials (whatever form they take) have a habit of testing and trying our faith. In this first installment on James, Philip  Burns tackles the connection between trials and the grand purpose they serve in God’s plan to help us on the path toward maturity.