Scripture: James 1:1-4

Have you ever felt like giving up?

Several years ago, I was running a half-marathon trail race. Everything was going smoothly until I caught my foot on a root, fell hard, hit my knee on a rock, and watched my water bottle tumble into a deep ravine. I was at mile marker 8, deep in the woods, with no choice but to get up and keep going.

As other runners passed me, I found a stick, stood up, and began walking the remaining five miles—alone. I became so dehydrated that my legs started to cramp, and I honestly didn’t think I could make it out.

Eventually, a race sweeper—someone who checks to ensure no one is left behind—caught up to me. They offered to call for help, but I was determined to finish. Instead, they supported me as we walked the last couple of miles together. They gave me Gatorade, encouragement, and helped me reach the finish line.

I wanted to give up. I truly didn’t believe I could finish.

Have you ever felt like that—ready to quit and walk away?

I’ve had many moments like that since returning to school. But when we look at the book of James, we’re reminded that we weren’t made to give up. He encourages us to persevere through hard times.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes to the early church during a time when they were scattered—feeling isolated, persecuted, and overwhelmed by trials. He gives them clear instructions on how not to quit when life gets hard. He doesn’t say if trials come, he says when—meaning trials are inevitable. And because James writes to the twelve tribes of Israel—plural—it reminds us we’re not alone in our struggles.

But then James says something radical: “Count it all joy when you face trials.” Why? Because trials produce perseverance, and perseverance develops maturity. Even though our struggles rarely feel joyful in the moment, God uses them to grow us. We often pray for God to remove our hardships, but He may be using them to refine us.

Life isn’t always easy—but there’s always purpose in the hard. The obstacle you’re facing might be the very opportunity you need. Don’t miss it because it’s wrapped in difficulty.

Think about a seed. When it’s planted, it’s buried deep—isolated, unseen, and in the dark. But as it begins to grow, it pushes its way through the soil, the rocks, the worms, and the mulch—at least that’s the case at my house—until it breaks the surface and reaches the light. Then, we water it, nurture it, and it grows strong.

Our trials are like that soil. We push through them, and in doing so, we break through to something new. Looking at this passage through Greek word studies, we see that “count it all joy” means to govern or rule over your trials with gladness—understanding that through them, we grow up, are made whole, and begin to reflect Christ more clearly.

So if you’re in a season of struggle, remember: the soil may feel heavy, but it’s making you stronger. Keep pushing. Don’t give up. Growth is happening—even if you can’t see it yet.