v 12. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Patient endurance through times of testing is the pathway to blessing. We are generally quick to announce our ailments or other difficult situations and perhaps need to speak a little more about the outcomes, to share the blessings as well as the pains.
Notice too that James includes the notion of temptation alongside that of faith being tested. Temptation is a uniquely personal issue. One person is tempted to over-indulge in food, another is beset with unwanted thoughts of a sexual nature. Laziness or selfishness can dominate a person’s life, just as obsessive activity can trouble another. However our faith is tried, or whatever darts of temptation are fired at us, God has provided the armour to deflect or overcome these assaults on our faith. It is not a matter of will-power or screwed up courage, God has provided ways of escape. Today, read again Ephesians 6:10-18 and 1 Corinthians 10:13. Take hold of these promises and walk the path into God’s blessing.