In the Bible book named after him, James talks a lot about dealing with suffering, but not all of life is hard. James concludes his letter with an exhortation to make God central in all parts of our lives (James 5:13-20). If we are experiencing blessing, we should thank and praise God: “Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise” (James 5:13). If we are suffering, we should pray for God’s help and seek the prayers of God’s church: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).

James notes that some prayers are answered miraculously, as Elijah’s was: “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain” (James 5:17-18). But this does not mean that all prayers will be answered. The drought in Elijah’s time caused much suffering, as did the apostasy and cruelty of King Ahab’s reign that led to the drought. And James had also previously counseled patience in suffering when God does not immediately alleviate it.

James finishes with a reminder that sinfulness and eternal damnation are a more serious problem than temporary earthly suffering: “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Indeed, earthly suffering can lead to repentance and eternal blessing, as it did in Elijah’s day and as it could in James’s day—and in ours.