James 1:2-4 (CB)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

We should rejoice because we know that when our faith is tested, the result is perseverance. An athlete endures to build up endurance, so a Christian perseveres to build up perseverance. “Let it finish” to be mature and complete. Don’t run from it, allow it to mature you. The alternative is a personality that may love the Lord when things are going well, but knows little of steadfastness under pressure, of contentment when physical comforts are withdrawn, of quiet confidence in the living God when faced with persecution or massive disappointment. In a fallen world perseverance contributes maturity and stability to our character-and builds perseverance. If our highest goals are creature comforts, these verses are incomprehensible; if our highest goals include growth in Christian character, James’s evaluation makes perfect sense.