Every trial is going to be different and I would have to address each one differently, but generally speaking it would go something like this.
After listening a lot, I would seek to encourage the individual with the thought that it is normal for saints to suffer. James 1:2 says "when trials come", meaning they WILL come. It's not about whether or not they will, it's about "when". They are a common, and even expected, occurrence in the life of the believer. This is a common theme throughout Scripture as demonstrated by Jesus in John 16:33 "... In the world you will have tribulation...”; the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 " For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death..." and 2 Corinthians 11:25-29 in which Paul lists numerous trials and persecutions that he underwent in the name of Christ. James demonstrates that trials are not purposeless. "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." God has a goal and a desired result in the life of each believer, and that goal is that we may be complete. The above passages do not simply end with trials and pain. John 16:33 is not meant to frighten us but to give us peace. "I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world." 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 demonstrates God's faithfulness. "...indeed we felt we had received the sentence of death but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril and he will deliver us again." If you don't understand God's purposes in tribulation you will have doubts. James 1:5-8 addresses potential doubts that an individual might have. The problem is that the sufferer lacks wisdom, and the solution is "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." A person can not be called to have joy in suffering without having hope. If the sufferer has nothing to hope in then they have no reason for joy. James 1:2 can call us to joy because of the hope we have in Christ shown in the latter part of Romans 8. "Who can separate us from the love of God?" "Who can bring a charge against the elect?" "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us... (nothing) in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our suffering has purpose, and it will come to an end. In this life we ought to expect it, focusing our minds on Christ and His desire for us to be "complete, lacking in nothing."
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