At first glance, this passage may sound misleading. The duty of every Christian is not to have a smile upon their face at all times and pretend that everything in life is always hunky-dory. If we acted that way, being a Christian would seem unattainable, contradictory, and we would be disingenuous to the world around us. As James talks about trials here, he is most likely referring to external afflictions, namely, persecution, but also including a variety (various) of trials. These trials could include but are not limited to financial stress, social adversity, physical illness, sorrow from loss, or pain from hardship. By definition, hardships are not joyful. Otherwise, they would be called “joyships” or “happyships”. Trials are trying, pain is painful, and sorrow begs for mourning. James doesn’t mean that the difficulties we face are our sources of pleasures in life. Rather, the Word of God is guiding us toward an eternal and therefore joyful perspective, teaching us that we ought to see life through the lens of the Gospel and the hope that it brings. Our circumstances may be painful, but as God helps us overcome them, we can experience the joy they can produce.
The greatest joys we face as Christians are often directly linked to some of the most difficult times in our lives. Though trials may be difficult and painful while we are in the midst of them, our perspective through them will bring us joy because of them. A soldier cannot be triumphant unless they face war. A runner cannot experience the thrill of victory unless they compete and endure the race. Nor, can a farmer reap from the harvest unless they endure the labor and waiting. God doesn’t put us through trials because he likes to watch us suffer. Instead, he equips, encourages, and strengthens us unto endurance through the most painful times of our lives. Most of us can look back at a trial in our past and be filled with joy because we see how God used it in our lives and made us stronger. Easy and stagnant Christian living will never make us stronger! Sourcing joy from the ashes of our trials is not meant to be a useless exercise for us. Rather, it produces stronger endurance-like faith. We are all either going into a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of a trial. Wherever you are, how can you take a step back and consider our trying circumstances with a perspective of joy?
The greatest joys we face as Christians are often directly linked to some of the most difficult times in our lives. Though trials may be difficult and painful while we are in the midst of them, our perspective through them will bring us joy because of them. A soldier cannot be triumphant unless they face war. A runner cannot experience the thrill of victory unless they compete and endure the race. Nor, can a farmer reap from the harvest unless they endure the labor and waiting. God doesn’t put us through trials because he likes to watch us suffer. Instead, he equips, encourages, and strengthens us unto endurance through the most painful times of our lives. Most of us can look back at a trial in our past and be filled with joy because we see how God used it in our lives and made us stronger. Easy and stagnant Christian living will never make us stronger! Sourcing joy from the ashes of our trials is not meant to be a useless exercise for us. Rather, it produces stronger endurance-like faith. We are all either going into a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of a trial. Wherever you are, how can you take a step back and consider our trying circumstances with a perspective of joy?