My Joy Throughout Trials

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,…" James 1:2

This is a verse I have read several times throughout my life and tried to apply in the various trials I have encountered. To be joyful when you are hurting. . . not easy. Especially not easy if you have been trying to do it my way. For most of my life I interpreted this verse to say "during trials outwardly show that you are are happy/joyful in your circumstances, but its ok to still be bitter/angry/depressed on the inside".  However, throughout those trials I was never at peace or truly joyful until eventually time took its course and things got "better". This, however, is not what we are called to as followers of Christ. God calls us to be joyful - inwardly and outwardly. Does that mean that we can't be sad/hurt/grieve in moments? By all means NO, but our trial should not be defined by those moments. Our trials should be defined by the joy that comes only from the Lord.



Why should we be joyful during trials?

"for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.." James 1:3 

A trial tests our faith and ultimately gives us the temptation to cease trusting God. These are the times that we are mostly hurting and most vulnerable. When we are in these situations we are tempted to do one of two things: take on a worldly view of our trials or take the Godly view of our trials. We see the temptation to try to escape our trials instead of endure them. Trials are the testing of our faith - whether or not we choose to trust God in these situations. We are to remain steadfast in faith enduring these trials.



So we trust God, then what?

"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,. . ." James 1:5-6

We ask for wisdom. We ask for God's view of life and of our trials. We ask him to reveal to us how to navigate these trials through prayer.  But we must do so IN FAITH, WITHOUT DOUBTING. By asking in faith we are fully believing that God can and will do what he has promised.



Throughout these verses here is what God has taught me about my former views of joy throughout trials:

We are called to be joyful, truly joyful in our trials. We are allowed to be sad, or upset, or grieve, but ultimately we will choose joy. This unexplainable joy and peace comes from trusting God. We trust that He will give us wisdom to navigate these trials. We trust that He can provide complete healing.  We trust that He is in control and He is for us. We can trust our God because we know His love for us is pure and unfailing - "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us". (Romans 5:8) And that, is how I am now able to be fully joyful midst the trials that come my way.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31


For those of you people out there like me who were only "outwardly joyful", be encouraged. Our God is healer, defender, and Savior. He loves you and wants good things for you. Trust in Him and His unfailing love.