Consider it Pure Joy

Why would anyone “Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials?”

That’s crazy!

Why would James say this?

If I were to take a survey of how many people wake up and think to themselves,

“I hope today is a tough day-

I hope I face trials and have to overcome struggles and deal with hardships in my life"

I would find no one that hoped for that.

There is a false belief out there that many Christians have - Many believe that because we are saved and follow Jesus- we will live a blessed and easy life since Jesus has overcome the world

But is this biblically true?

It is true that Jesus has overcome the world, and because we have put our faith in Him we are at peace with God knowing that we will live with Him forever.

But, we still live in a fallen world surrounded by evil and temptation.

So why would we consider pure joy to deal with all these trials?

Going through trials produces perseverance.

So, why do we need perseverance if God will take care of me?

Well, yes He is good and does care for us- but when we face trials and are willing to persevere, God molds us, teaches us, and draws us closer to Him so we can see and experience Him in a deeper and more complete way.

If life was easy all the time-

We would have no reason to truly need Him or depend on Him- and we would miss out on seeing the beauty of His love in action during those difficult times and how He is able to care for us, comfort us, and enter into our trials and love us while He heals, restores and shapes us into His image-God’s desire for us is to be made whole.

He desires the very best for us.

But that does not always look and feel the way we think it should.

We are whole when we are fully relying on His love, power and grace- and we learn this best when our faith is on trial. So the next time you are facing a trial- don’t think I’m telling you should brush it and laugh -

What I am saying is- take a deep breath, fix your eyes on Jesus, and stay grounded on the truth of who God is and cling to Him and His promises and let God in and let Him move in your life.