My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

James 1:2 NKJV

How can we consider trials joyful? How was my husband’s leukemia joyful? Joy disappeared when my child went wayward. Joy flees when depression chases it. Joy escaped when the mammogram showed something unusual. Where is joy when our hearts are broken?

Does joy seem like a dream you continually chase after, but like a butterfly, it eludes you? I have found the problem lies within our minds. We seek joy in the wrong places.

Joy isn’t the absence of trials, but the presence of God.

James lists three keys necessary for trials. When we stop searching for joy everywhere but in Jesus Christ, we will be filled with joy. Yes, even during our darkest nights.

First, trials produce patience. Although patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, trials stir it up. Patience is found when we lack it most. We want God to air lift us out of our difficulties, but God wants to bring us through it. We realize waiting is inevitable.

We can wait two ways: restful or restless. The difference is patience. A Restful wait calms us rather than a restless chaos. The word translated “patience” in Greek is hupomone which is also translated “endurance.” It’s not a passive term, but one of perseverance.

Trusting God means trusting His timing.

Next comes wisdom. Not a fruit of the Spirit, but James tells us to ask God for wisdom. He assures us God will give it generously when we ask in faith, not doubting. When trials come along, we often seek out friends searching for answers. Instead, we must turn to divine wisdom, not earthly wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge.

Finally, James warns us about doubting which makes us unstable. Satan loves a good trial because he goes to his favorite playground. The mind. There, he will plant ungodly thoughts. Left to take root these thoughts produce fear, doubt, anxiety, and worry.

This is why Paul tells us to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5). We must remove them immediately, as soon as Satan drops it off on our doorstep.

James calls an unstable man double minded, like the waves of the sea. The waves never rest. They continually move. Remember we can wait patiently resting in the hope of Christ.

Having endurance, wisdom, and stability doesn’t promise us joy. James said we must count it all joy. We must possess an attitude of joy. ”Count” is an accounting term meaning “to evaluate.” We know the end result of our turmoil will be joy,

Friend, what are you traversing today? Evaluate your joy, patience, wisdom and stability. What are you lacking?  These characteristics won’t make the trial end, but they will enable you to endure the storm raging around you. They will keep you in the eye of the storm, at peace until the storm passes by.

Heavenly Father, give me an attitude of joy. Help me focus on the spiritual and not on the physical. I know You have a perfect purpose for this trial. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read James 1:2-8 NKJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1-2&version=NKJV

HIKING THE TRAIL

We never get accustomed to trials. The next one is always harder than the one before, but trials strengthen our faith each time we pass through them. Prayer and time in God’s Word will develop the necessary qualities we need to endure.

Originally posted on June 9, 2023 @ 1:00 am