“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Throughout our lives we face many different trials. During those trials we have many different types of thoughts. Usually, the last thought on our mind as we go through them is thoughts of joy. This causes us to take notice, when James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2) “Consider it joy” we think, how can we have joy in the midst of trials?

Let us take a moment to hear James’ explanation. He begins by reminding us that we are being tested. Life is filled with different tests. As we grow, our parents test us to see if we are learning the basics of everyday life, from learning to dress ourselves, to tie our shoes, pick up our room and put things away, not just stuff everything under the bed. School is filled with tests, checking out how much we have been learning to move us through the grades. In the early jobs where bosses check our work, if we could do the job, we stayed employed.

When the people of Isael were about to enter the Promised Land, God warned them of the false gods in the land. He warned them of the enticement they brought and not to follow them. In the land they would be tested. “The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 13:3-4) The Old Testament is filled with both their failures and their successes to God’s testing.

James tells the people to count it joy, because through the many tests, God would strengthen them to persevere through each test. Going through the tests with perseverance would lead on to a mature and complete faith which will fill us with all we need in this life. Paul would say, “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5)

The closer we walk with God through each trial, the more we learn of Him. The more we know that God will carry us through the trials. Jesus taught us, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

We can face the trials with joy knowing of God’s hope and His love, which has given us a foundation upon which we can stand through the trials. Hope is given. Hope continues because we do know there is a day coming when the trials will be over and we will be in “God’s dwelling place.” (Revelations 21:3)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block