My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

In these opening verses, James addresses the issue of trials that come from outside. He is talking about trials that we “fall into” – meaning they are often unexpected things that we encounter. Literally, the unforeseen events of life that we do not plan for or wish to happen. The picture is a little bit like falling when you step into a hole or stumble over something in the way – no one plans to do that!

The Bible here says “various trials”, meaning this can include many different things. It may include physical trials, financial difficulties, relationship issues, gossip, broken hearts. It can include danger or tragedies that happen. I can’t list them all here, but you get the idea.

Most of the time for us, trials naturally produce a negative attitude – a complaining attitude. Someone does something negative to me and my first thought is “why did You let that happen Lord?”.

But God here describes a very different response. He says we should have joy when we face a new trial. Joy! Not only joy, but God says to count it (or consider or have the opinion about) “all joy”. It means not a little joy mixed with some complaining thrown in on the side. No – all we should have is joy in a trial!

Does that sound kind of ridiculous to anyone? I mean, really God? My child gets sick and I am supposed to be joyful in that situation? I lose my job and I am supposed to have joy in that time in my life? Someone hurts me deeply by something said or done and I am supposed to react with overflowing joy? Really?

The answer is, yes, really. But how? How can we do this as believers? The answer is given as the verse continues….knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience

To know something means to understand it. 

As Christians, we must understand that God has a bigger plan for us than what is happening in the moment.

In fact, we must remember that God is doing something good for us in and through that trial. 

Trials in our life are really a test that God brings into our life to grow our faith, purify our faith, and mature our faith. Trials have a purpose. Patience makes us “perfect and complete” – exactly what God wants us to be!

A mature faith is a patient faith – a faith that trusts in God no matter what.

What God wants in my life is for me to believe Him no matter the situation. And He brings trials into my life to teach me to have patience and trust Him. 

You must learn to see the trials in your life through a biblical lens. These difficulties in your life are not accidents that God is not aware of! God has allowed them to refine you and shape you and sanctify you!

This knowledge is the key to having joy in a trial. 

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