James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.  My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

There is nothing more important in life than faith.  Therefore trials which cause us to persevere in our faith are a cause not for depression, anxiety or sadness but joy.  What is to be said of the student's knowledge who has never been tested by a teacher?  Can a student trust that knowledge?  Can others?  Testing validates the student's knowledge, to himself and others.  Trials authenticate our faith when we persevere through them.  It is the perseverance in faith which leaves us "lacking in nothing."  But just as with crosses we must not fashion our own trials in order to test ourselves.  That would be appropriating God's role for ourselves and is the height of arrogance, pride and folly.  Furthermore it would cause us to neglect the real trials placed in our lives.  Every Christian is tried for "God chastises those whom he loves."  But in humility we must recognize our weaknesses and what is and is not a trial for us.