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Articles
Finding Joy in Trials; James 1:1-18
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” James 1:2
For someone unfamiliar with the book of James, his initial instruction in James 1:2 must come as a great shock! “Joy” is often the furthest thing from one’s mind when going through certain trials in life. There is nothing inherently joyful about losing your job, receiving an unwanted diagnosis, or especially the death of a loved one. Consider it all joy? That’s going to need some explanation. Thankfully James tells us not only what it means to find joy in trials, but also how.
First and foremost, we have to learn to recognize the advantage of adversity (James 1:2-4). When our faith is tested through various trials (and our faith passes the test by remaining intact), endurance is the result (James 1:3). Endurance is a learned skill. Marathon runners become marathon runners through training. Likewise, Christians gain endurance by remaining faithful in times of adversity.
Think about what it means to have endurance. The only reason endurance is ever necessary is because there is an end goal you are striving for. You will not reach the goal without endurance. Endurance, then, teaches us to look past the current trial and fix our eyes on the goal set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2). Endurance helps us grow into the mature, “complete” Christian the Lord would have us become (James 1:4). Without endurance through trials, we remain unchanged.
The ultimate advantage of adversity is our salvation. As James explains in James 1:12, we are approved by God when we persevere under trial. The one who perseveres “will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). Such an individual is “blessed” in every sense of the word (v. 12).
To “consider it all joy … when you encounter various trials” and to appreciate the advantages of adversity is a major mindset shift. This new mindset is dependent upon two qualities you must work to acquire: wisdom and humility (Jams 1:5-11).
The human mind will not appreciate the advantage of adversity without godly wisdom. Wisdom does not come automatically with time. True wisdom comes from God alone. Thankfully, He has promised to give us wisdom if only we should seek it in faith (James 1:5-6). The pursuit of wisdom requires a committed heart (James 1:6-8). Wisdom also includes understanding the source of our trials (James 1:13-15). Only through such wisdom will you be able to find joy in times of trial.
The ability to find joy in times of trial also requires humility (James 1:9-11). Whatever circumstances in which you find yourself in this life are temporary. Trials come to us all at some point. Any earthly advantage you have attained in this present life is not the result of your greatness, rather it is the result of God’s goodness (James 1:17-18). All blessings are a gift from God. Let us be grateful that God is so wonderful, even when we mess things up and our desires lead us to sin (James 1:14-15), God is still able to help us overcome and be found faithful to Him.
Godly wisdom provides a completely different outlook on life. When wisdom is pursued through humility, you will be able to not only faithfully endure the trials of this life, but also to learn and grow from such adversity. While life will inevitably bring seasons of mourning (Ecclesiastes 3:4; 7:2), let us be grateful for the joy that always awaits us. Thanks be to God, that we are able to find joy in the trials of life.
