The Impact of a Trial in a Leader’s Life

Are you really ready to face your next trial?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

As leaders, we are usually not eager to face trials and hardships. But God’s Word, which always surprises us, once again runs counter to our desire for a comfortable, trial-free life. These verses in James are not speaking of going through just one trial, but many trials. And he even concludes that this should be a reason for great joy.

If the passage ended there, it would be much harder to embrace the instruction. The continuation of the teaching, or rather the biblical warning, says that as we go through these trials, the result will be growth in perseverance. Perseverance is essential for anyone who wants to grow as a leader.

One of the most remarkable examples of perseverance in the Bible was Job. At the most critical moment of the trial he was facing, his wife said, "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!" He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin with his lips. Job held fast to his integrity, because perseverance produced such balance in his life.

Leaders, let us not despise trials. Instead, may God give us the sensitivity to see in trials the results that bear witness to our integrity. Through trials, we gain the maturity essential to lead by the name above every name, Jesus Christ.