Why are there temptation and trials?

If there was never temptation, where would obedience be?
If there were only things in which our physical bodies needed, we would readily do them for there it would only make sense to do so.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was so that Adam and Eve would obey God for the sake of obedience. God could have made it to where there was no forbidden tree, but then how would their obedience (or disobedience) ever be shown? If they had no way to disobey, would they actually be obeying or simply just doing?

These are some questions I have been thinking about a lot lately.

In James it says to consider ever trial a pure joy, because in it we grow and become mature. We learn how to obey through trials (either that or the consequences for disobedience). For this reason we are to consider it joy! For in obeying we love God. It is through obedience that we learn more about God, how to truly love and receive love.

Obedience starts in the little things of life. Daily interactions. Typical conversations. Thoughts. Any small things God is convicting you (me) about. To learn how to obey in the seemingly "unimportant" things, we train ourselves to be obedient in the bigger decision this life throws at us.
Practicing obedience is an exercise of the will. Just like a muscle you cannot expect to never lift weights and then be able to lift 200 lbs. It takes time, patience, and practice to be able to work up to that point/skill level. It is the same with obedience. We must give over all the little things in this life to God, that we will be ready to give over the larger things when they come to us.


Dear Lord, help me to give over all of the things in this life to You. To be obedient to Your calling in every aspect of my life. In sorrows. Burdens. Joys. Blessings. In everything. In You alone can joy be found. In You alone is life.
Help me to be obedient and steadfast to the calling I have receive. To love You. To love others. To bring glory to You name in both the "small" and vastly important things of this life. To look on trials with joy, seeing them as a chance to obey You and show my love. To look on blessings as the great and wonderful treasure they are. To make You my treasure, my goal, my life, my all. For where my treasure is there my heart is. Be my treasure.
With love, to Love. Amen