1) Problems are inevitable, unpredictable, come in many forms, and have important purposes. 2) The four main purposes of problems are to purify faith, fortify patience, and sanctify character by making us more like Jesus. 3) When facing problems, we should rejoice, request wisdom from God, and relax through faith that God will provide what we need to endure the trial.

1. TOPIC: HOW TO PROFIT FROM YOUR
PROBLEMS
THEME: Developing a Faith That
Works - Part 2 of 15
TEXT: James 1:2-6

2. “Consider it pure joy,
my brothers, whenever
you face trials of many
kinds ...
because you know
that the testing of your
faith develops
perseverance.” James 1:2-6

3. I. FOUR "FACTS OF LIFE" YOU NEED
TO KNOW
1. Problems are inevitable
“... whenever you face trials ...”
2. Problems are unpredictable.
"...whenever you face problems ..."
The word "face" in Greek is "peripipto".
It literally means "to fall into
unexpectedly".

5. I. FOUR "FACTS OF LIFE" YOU NEED TO KNOW
3. Problems are of many kinds
"... trials of many kinds ..."
The word in the Greek for "many kinds"
is literally "multi colored".
4. Problems are purposeful
"Realize that they come ... to produce in
you..." (Phillips)

6. Three purposes of problems
in your life:
1. Problems purify my faith.
2. Problems fortify our patience
3. Problems sanctify my character.
 God's number one purpose in our
life is to make us like Jesus
Christ.
I. FOUR "FACTS OF LIFE" YOU NEED TO KNOW

7. Two ways that God makes us like
Jesus:
1. Through the Word of God.
"Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy
word is truth." John 17:17
"The word makes us like Jesus" James 1:22-
25
2. Through the circumstances
of life.

8. "We know that all things work together
for the good of those who love God and
are called according to His purpose"
Romans 8:28
"For whom he did foreknow He did
predestine to become conformed to the
image of the Son of God." Romans 8:29

9. II. THREE THINGS YOU ‘NEED TO DO’- How
to handle your problems
1. Rejoice
"Consider it pure joy whenever you face
trials ..." v. 1
One of the most misunderstood verses in
the Bible is: "In everything give
thanks for this is the will of God
concerning you in Christ Jesus." I
Thessalonians 5:18

10. "They stripped me naked. They
took everything -- my wedding
ring, watch. I stood there naked
and all of a sudden realized at that
moment that although they could
take everything away from me – my
wife, my family, my possessions --
they could not take away my
freedom to choose how I was
going to respond." Victor Frankl
Jewish psychologist

11. “I will bless the Lord at all
times. His praise shall
continually be in my mouth.”
Psalm 34:1

12. II. THREE THINGS YOU ‘NEED TO DO’- How to
handle your problems
2. Request
“If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God
who gives generously to all without finding fault
and it will be given to him.” (v.5)
3. Relax
"When he asks he must believe and not doubt."
(v.6)

13. We need to pray for two things:
• to understand the trial
• to endure the trial.
Wisdom
Faith
•You need them
both.

14. The final result
“Blessed is the man who perseveres
under trial. When he has stood the test
he will receive the crown of life that
God has promised to those who love
Him.” (v.. 12)