Meeting Trials (Part 1)
Sure, James, just open your letter with a shocking statement
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My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
James 1:2-4 (NET)
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What a strange way to open his letter!
After standard salutations, James jumps straight into a controversial statement: Count it all joy when you fall into all sorts of trials.
I mean, who’s actually happy about facing trials?
Throughout the letter James gives us a lot of shocking statements. I suspect he did this on purpose, at least partly to grab our attention.
He never minces words, either.
There isn’t much confusion about what James means when he says to count it all joy when you fall into all sorts of trials. He means exactly what he says.
Easy to understand, hard to do.
Whenever I think about falling into tough trials, I think of two Old Testament figures (I bet you think of the same ones): Joseph and Job.
Technically, Job’s trials occur before Joseph’s, but we read about them at different parts of the OT.
When Joseph’s trials are over, he tells his brothers that God meant it for good.
Job praises God throughout his trials and never even sins with his words. Impressive.
Most impressive.
These patriarchs inspire me anytime I’m facing trials of my own.
How did they endure?
They kept a proper perspective on who God is, who they are, and what role they have to play in God’s work.
I can — and should — do the same.
Of course, there’s more to discuss about this verse. I’ll share those thoughts tomorrow.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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