Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬
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.

II Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭8‬
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a circular building relationship between these spiritual disciplines. It works like a tornado.  

Peter describes it well. We start with faith in God. Actually, the capacity to believe in him, is his gift to us. But the action of faith is our choice. And Peter lists a number of things to add to faith, like a recipe for making the most amazing cake: A cup of goodness, a tablespoon of knowledge, two cups self control, a ½ quart of perseverance, two tablespoons of godliness, one teaspoon mutual affection, and love to taste.

Unlike a cake, some of these things build on each other. For example, out of faith in a trial, perseverance is increased in us. Knowledge with self-control can produce godly wisdom or godliness, and mutual affection (compassion) and goodness can produce love.

Overall, when we are committed to grow in Christ, we examine our hearts.  Then we add in each area of the good fruit that Jesus stands ready to give us (remember that he is The Vine and we are the branches - John 15:5). And when this happens, something intrinsic happens in our heart. A whirlwind or upward building energy is unleashed, and our spirit is released in power on a dark and sinful world like a lighthouse, refuge, and fortress for those who are lost!

We must not be lazy in our faith. Paul here compliments the Thessalonians on their faith and perseverance in trials, and rightly so. Some would turn from the faith and wander aimlessly in life. But recognition goes to those who are in the battle and remain faithful!

James tells us to consider it our joy when we face trials of many kinds. Sure, there is a benefit in the end, but how do I practically be joyful about a severe trial in the midst of it?

Joy is not happiness. It is a deep-down confidence in God to come through. And he does this in so many ways: 1) he grows our faith in trials, 2) others see our strong faith in trials and it attracts them as a power outside of this world, and 3) when we confess Jesus, The Shepherd, as the only way we sheep could get through the trial, it draws others into his saving grace.

So joy in trials is linked to a prevailing hope that God will produce greater glory out of the trial than it costs us in earthly time, pain, energy, and resources. The rewards of faithfully persevering under trials blow away the cost every time!

Lord, build in me a joy in trials that focuses on my confidence and assured hope in you to always come through with mind-blowing spiritual rewards! You are great! Your rewards through trials are far greater than the costs!