All Joy

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials , for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3

In Beth Moore’s book, “Get Out of the Pit”, she recounts her experience in one of her frequent travels. She noticed a tall, beautiful couple get into the plane and seat themselves. Both the man and the woman looked dignified, dressed in impeccable Italian suits. As soon as the plane got off the runway, the man started shouting, startling everyone within hearing distance. The stewardess couldn’t do anything as she was strapped in herself. He screamed that he was afraid, they would all die, he wasn’t ready, so could the pilot please stop the plane. Beth Moore and all the passengers became agitated at this surprising turn of events. Then just as suddenly the man stopped his hysterical screaming and the wife acted as if nothing out of the ordinary happened. 

Sometimes we feel like shouting when our trials become too hard to bear. I know some people who like exposing their anguish on Facebook. They complain about their husbands, or an office mate giving them grief, or children who disappoint them. Saint James shares a surprising perspective when he writes, “Count it pure unadulterated joy when you are enveloped in trials of any sort. Be assured and understand that the trial brings out endurance, steadfastness, patience and perseverance. Let endurance and steadfastness have its perfect result, that you may be perfect, mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” Is this really possible? 

Yes, we can count all our trials joy, only if we have real hope and trust in Jesus. We have to seek God in our trials, confident He walks with us, and is bearing our burdens with us. This is no platitude. Test God in this.