“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” – James 1:2 (NIV)
Joy and trials. Those two words don’t seem like they belong in the same sentence, do they? Trials are hard. They stretch us, break us, and often leave us wondering why. And yet, James opens his letter with this shocking encouragement: consider it pure joy when-not if-you face trials. Not because the pain itself is enjoyable, but because there is something deeper happening behind the scenes.
James wants us to look past the surface. Trials are not pointless-they’re purposeful. They are God’s training ground, developing perseverance in us. Think of an athlete in the gym. Every rep hurts, every run burns, but the athlete keeps going, knowing that strength is being built. In the same way, every hardship we walk through in faith strengthens our spiritual muscles. Perseverance is not optional-it’s the foundation of maturity and depth in Christ.
Have you ever gone through something and, on the other side, realized how much you grew? Maybe it was a season of waiting, a job loss, a health scare, or a broken relationship. It hurt. But somewhere in the mess, you discovered more of God, more of yourself, and more strength than you thought you had. That’s what James is getting at. Trials, when met with trust in God, transform us.
So today, what trial are you facing? Instead of asking “Why me?” try asking, “What are you forming in me through this?” It’s okay to feel the weight of it, to cry, to wrestle. But don’t let go of your joy-the deep, steady joy that comes from knowing your pain has a purpose.
Prayer:
Father, help me to see beyond the pain and into your purpose. Teach me to choose joy-not because the trial is easy, but because I know you’re at work in it. Build perseverance in me. Shape me into who you’ve called me to be, even through the hard places. I trust you. Amen.
