Finding Joy and Growth in Life's Trials

Life is often lived “in the middle seat”—that uncomfortable, in-between place where we feel squeezed by circumstances, unable to lean left or right, and forced to face the reality of our trials. The book of James, which is sometimes called the Proverbs of the New Testament, speaks directly to this experience. James doesn’t sugarcoat the Christian life; instead, he calls us to a faith that is lived out, not just believed. He challenges us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials of many kinds, not because the pain is pleasant, but because God is at work in the midst of it, producing perseverance, maturity, and a deeper dependence on Him.

Problems are not optional electives in life; they are a required course. Whether we are entering a problem, in the middle of one, or just coming out, trials are a universal part of the human experience. They are unpredictable, often arriving without warning and in a variety of forms—financial, relational, emotional, or physical. Yet, James teaches that these trials are not wasted. God uses them to purify our faith, develop our patience, and shape our character to be more like Jesus. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith is refined through adversity, revealing and removing impurities we didn’t know were there.

The way we respond to trials is crucial. We are called to rejoice—not to fake happiness or deny reality, but to choose an attitude of trust and gratitude in the midst of difficulty. This is not about positive thinking, but about real faith that believes God is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. Our attitude can either make us bitter or better, and it is often in the hardest moments that God does His deepest work in us.

In addition to rejoicing, we are called to pray for wisdom, seeking God’s guidance rather than relying on our own understanding. Sometimes God gives us answers through instruction, but if we ignore His voice, we may have to learn through experience. Ultimately, we must rely on God, trusting that He is faithful and that He can be trusted with our pain, our questions, and our future. The testimonies of those who have walked through deep valleys and come out stronger on the other side remind us that Jesus is worth it, and that nothing is wasted in His hands.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Trials Are the Crucible of Maturity Life’s problems are not random interruptions but the very context in which God matures us. The “middle seat” moments—when we feel stuck and pressed on every side—are where faith is proven genuine. Rather than seeking escape, we are invited to see these seasons as opportunities for God to deepen our character and reliance on Him. [10:53]
• 2. The Purpose in Pain: Refinement, Not Punishment God does not waste our suffering. Like gold refined by fire, our faith is purified through adversity, exposing hidden impurities and teaching us endurance. The pain is not a sign of God’s absence, but of His commitment to shape us into the likeness of Christ, removing what hinders our growth and witness. [25:32]
• 3. Attitude Is a Spiritual Battleground We cannot always control what happens to us, but we can choose our response. Rejoicing in trials is not denial, but a deliberate act of faith that trusts God’s goodness and sovereignty. Our attitude—whether of gratitude or bitterness—determines whether we are shaped by our problems or shattered by them. [34:59]
• 4. Prayer Is the Pathway to Wisdom When we lack understanding in the midst of trials, God invites us to ask Him for wisdom. Prayer is not just a last resort, but the means by which we receive divine perspective and strength. Sometimes God answers through instruction, but if we refuse to listen, He will teach us through experience—so let us seek His counsel first. [43:53]
• 5. Trusting God with the Unexplainable Some suffering defies explanation, yet even in the most traumatic circumstances, God can bring redemption and new life. The story of Lyanna, who found purpose and healing through unimaginable pain, reminds us that God can transform our deepest wounds into testimonies of His grace. Trusting God does not mean we understand everything, but that we believe nothing is wasted in His hands. [42:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:33] - Series Introduction: Lock In
• [01:13] - The Book of James: Wisdom for Today
• [03:11] - Maturity and Real Faith
• [04:30] - Joy in Trials: James 1:2-4
• [06:25] - Airplane Stories: The Middle Seat
• [10:53] - Living Faith in the Middle
• [12:46] - Don’t Waste Your Pain
• [14:37] - Tested Faith Is Trustworthy
• [17:48] - Four Things to Know About Problems
• [19:48] - Problems Are Unpredictable
• [23:02] - Problems Come in Many Kinds
• [24:59] - The Purpose of Problems
• [32:29] - How to Profit from Problems: Rejoice
• [36:17] - Attitude and the Power of Choice
• [37:36] - Lyanna’s Story: Finding Joy in Suffering
• [43:14] - Prayer and Wisdom in Trials
• [44:31] - Trusting God Through It All
• [45:49] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Reading

James 1:2-4 (ESV) — > 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
> 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
> 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 8:28-29 (ESV) — > 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
> 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) — > 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Observation Questions

1. According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose behind the trials and testing of our faith?
2. The sermon compared life’s problems to sitting in the “middle seat” on an airplane. What does this analogy help us understand about the Christian experience? [[10:53]]
3. In Romans 8:28-29, what does Paul say is God’s ultimate goal for us through all things, including suffering?
4. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 command us to do in every circumstance, and how is this different from pretending to be happy? [[33:46]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think James tells us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials, instead of just telling us to endure them? What does this reveal about God’s perspective on suffering? [[04:30]]
2. The sermon said, “A faith that is not tested cannot be trusted.” How does going through hard times reveal the true state of our faith? [[15:16]]
3. The story of Lyanna was shared as an example of finding purpose in pain. What does her story teach us about God’s ability to redeem even the most traumatic circumstances? [[42:38]]
4. The sermon mentioned that our attitude is a “spiritual battleground.” How can our response to trials either make us “bitter or better”? [[34:59]]

Application Questions

1. Think about a recent “middle seat” moment in your life—a time when you felt squeezed by circumstances. How did you respond? Looking back, would you respond differently now after hearing this message? [[10:53]]
2. The sermon said, “Problems are not optional electives in life; they are a required course.” How does this truth change the way you view your current struggles? [[19:12]]
3. James calls us to “rejoice” in trials—not to fake happiness, but to choose trust and gratitude. What is one practical way you can express gratitude to God in the middle of a difficult situation this week? [[33:46]]
4. The message challenged us to pray for wisdom instead of just asking for the problem to go away. Is there a specific trial where you need to ask God for wisdom right now? What would it look like to seek His guidance first, before acting on your own understanding? [[43:53]]
5. The story of Lyanna showed that God can bring purpose and healing out of deep pain. Is there a painful experience in your past that you still struggle to see any good in? How might God want to use that experience for your growth or to help others? [[42:38]]
6. The sermon said, “Our attitude can either make us bitter or better.” What is one attitude shift you need to make in response to a current problem? How can the group pray for you in this area? [[34:59]]
7. The message talked about not wasting our pain, but letting God use it to refine us. What is one step you can take this week to cooperate with God’s refining process, instead of resisting it? [[12:46]]