James Chapter 1
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”
James 1:2 NKJV
If our faith does not go through trials, how do we prove that it is fervent and genuine, and not just a concept? If our lives are completely smooth sailing, how will our faith in God grow, mature and become precious?
“that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”
I Peter 1:7 NKJV
There is a proverb “No pain, no gain” that encourages similarly, because people of the world understand that suffering produces character. Though the sufferings that worldly men endure do not pertain to salvation, they are beneficial to their character.
Even more so, the spiritual trials that our loving God has given us are meant to produce patience and make our faith more complete, leading to spiritual edification. Hence elder James encourages us to go the extra mile when enduring trials, that is, to consider it all joy to face those trials. How many people can do that? It sounds almost unreasonable!
If one can endure sufferings, it is already worthy of admiration, but to be able to rejoice in sufferings, that is extraordinary.
I believe that God allows trials to befall those whom He loves. In God’s eyes they are worthy of trials! God knows they will rely on Him to endure sufferings. He knows they will beseech the one true God for wisdom and strength to overcome their trials. He knows having gone through the trial, their faith will reach a higher level, and they will be closer to God.
These brethren who are undergoing trials can remain calm, not murmur or mourn, and furthermore rejoice and thank God because they know the reward for overcoming trials.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12 NKJV
Let’s think, if we can understand that the almighty God thinks we are worthy and realise that He esteems us, wouldn’t we feel comforted, even joyful? With this mindset, it doesn’t seem so difficult to rejoice during trials!
This is more so if we suffer shame for the name of God, just like the apostles. After being beaten in the presence of the council, they “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:40-42). Continuing daily in the temple, in houses, teaching and preaching Jesus as Christ, their joy was obvious to all.
Let’s not be afraid or repulsed by trials. Let us also not forget brethren in trials but encourage them that God definitely has His beautiful will in trials. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
I Peter 4:12-13 NKJV