Journey through James: James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 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 1:2-4
James begins his letter to the Christians dispersed throughout the known world by telling them to count it as joy when they meet various trials. This was extremely applicable to them because they were no longer living in Jerusalem because of persecution. They understood what it meant to face trials. James doesn’t pacify them or tell them to just think happy thoughts. What he does do is challenge them, and us, to change our mindset.
The question here is not whether or not we will face trials, but what will we do when we meet trials along life’s path. We will all face trials or afflictions. James tells us that we need to consider it all joy when we face these trials. He is talking about a mindset that we need to have as we go through life. This is how we need to think at all times. We will face trials throughout life of various kinds. Some trials will be large, some will be small. Trials come in all shapes and sizes. However, regardless of the size or time, we know that trials will come. Instead of being fearful of that fact, we need to look forward with joy.
James doesn’t just tell us to consider trials as joy and move on; he gives us substance behind his challenge. We can consider trials as joy because we know that the testing of our faith brings about steadfastness or perseverance. Peter wrote something very similar:
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 1:6-7
We know that God works things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We need to set our minds on Christ. We know that God is sovereign; He is aware of what we are going through and has a purpose and plan. The testing of our faith in Christ through trials will bring about perseverance.
James gives one final admonishment as we encounter trials; he tells us to let perseverance have its full effect. In other words, don’t merely focus on trying to get out of trials or cutting them short. Trials have a purpose, and when we have the right mindset, our struggles within the trials help us grow in Christ. Trials are not fun, and they do not make us happy, but they can bring joy as we grow. Trials show us our dependence on God and our need for His strength. Trials help mature us and give us strength that would not come any other way.
I have a lot of runners in my family, and I see this truth illustrated in how runners get faster. A high school cross country race is 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles. However, in order to train to run fast for 3.1 miles, they will have sprint work outs, hill work outs, and long runs up to 12 miles. None of them are happy while doing these workouts, but the runners who excel learn to embrace them because they realize that the pain from these workouts are what enable them to compete well. Similarly, in the Christian life, we do not need to pretend that trials are happy occasions; however, we should embrace them with joy knowing that they are working towards our growth. Consider it all joy.
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