Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 CSB
Earlier this week, I received an email from my son’s teacher outlining what they were working on for the week. She mentioned how they had been focusing on ‘productive struggle’. I had no context for that phrase, so I did a quick Google search and was blown away.
Productive struggle is a concept of allowing the student to wrestle with some things without offering excessive help. The idea is to give them a framework and let them work through some of their feelings of frustration. Ultimately leading to this ability to persist in the face of challenges.
As I reflected on James 1:2-4, this concept of productive struggle really resonated with me. James lets us know that we will endure challenges and that our posture should be that of joy. Simply because we know that God is building our faith and deepening our spiritual maturity.
Although God can eliminate our trials, sometimes He allows us to wrestle with them. Not so that we give up, but to teach us more about Him, ourselves, and how His kingdom operates. The struggle is really an opportunity to produce the fruit of the Spirit, like joy or self-control.
Don’t waste the struggle complaining when something productive can come from it. If you’re going to have to endure the trial, at least have something beneficial come out of it on the other side.
Today, I want to encourage you to bear good fruit! Let each challenge remind you that something good can come of it when you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you.
