The same Greek word has been translated "trails" and "temptations", so God is saying He has a special reward for Christians who live out the high callings of Christ in their everyday difficulties.

What sort of behaviour might qualify for a trial-beating "crown"?

We don't need to be burned at the stake, or thrown in prison for 20 years to qualify for a "crown" - just get the better of whatever difficulty we happen to be going through. If we can show the fruit of the Spirit in a trial we qualify for a "crown"!

This means showing love, or joy, peace or goodness, faithfulness, meekness, humility or self-control.

Every trial brings with it a choice and an opportunity. We can either grumble or smile, face it or avoid it, turn it to a blessing, or see it as a curse, look for a way to give God glory, or cry out in defeat.

James warns us about how sin starts small and grows. If we don't deal with sin while it is small, it may grow so large it overpowers us. It can also kill. But God leaves it entirely up to us to decide how we deal with sin. He want us to be aware of it, and to be responsible for our choices.

1. Phil. 4:1
2. 1Thess. 2:19
3. 2Tim. 4:8
4. 1Pet. 5:4
5. Rev. 2:10
6. Rev. 3:11
7. James 1:12