Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds ~ James 1:2
The CSB renders this passage as “consider it all joy.” These words are saturated with intentionality. After all, human instinct will not lead us to joy in trials. Instead, we must choose joy.
How do we do so? James patiently explains:
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. ~ James 1:3-4
James points beyond the trials, beyond our natural complaints and worries to the possibility of what they might produce: steadfastness, completeness and eventually a crown of life (James 1:12).
The specifics of our trials do not matter (“various kinds” he says!). Divorce, cancer, death, betrayal. Arthritis, a broken air conditioner, a traffic jam, weight gain. Any cause of suffering is the very place where our faith is tested. Do we see our trials in the lens of eternity or temporary measures? Do we sink our roots deep in trust? Or do we flounder?
Too often we live the opposite of these verses. We meet trials. Our faith falters. We give up. But God sees us. He knows us. And he longs to bring us somewhere better. He knows that we will stumble. But he also knows how much we can grow if we only look to him.
So today, when something inevitably goes wrong, cling to joy. Choose it, despite the odds and remember:
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12
Photo by Marcus Dall Col on Unsplash
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