“We are blessed – supremely happy – not when we have everything going for us, but when everything in us is going for God”

Joni Eareckson Tada

God has made us as wonderfully designed creatures with a will, a moral compass, an ability to learn and to make decisions, but yet we are ruined by sin.  In Gods mercy He has looked on us with pity sending His Son to redeem us, and to transform us from our ruin to a creature that can live with God and do His will for all eternity.  As a result, God must and will shape us for our ultimate place with Him. In the process of all of this we live out our faith while God directs our path much like an obstacle course. In James chapter 1, James addresses the reality that all in Christ are special objects of God’s direct action through trials. He says the most remarkable thing, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2). This by all appearance is an oxymoron in Scripture. I don’t know of any extra-biblical teaching of any sort that would make such a claim. I know that my personal saying prior to my salvation was to get through each day with the least amount of hassle. My fleshly self continues to say that. But here James introduces a whole different mindset from God.

It is obvious by the wording that James recognizes this is contrary to our natural thinking. It is really a statement of living by faith. The world, our flesh, and certainly the evil one would challenge such thinking. James desires to lift us to a different plateau. His basis underlying such a challenge is the sovereignty of God and His particular interest and care for His own. We see this clearly in the next verse and following, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” He begins with this strange statement of “consider it all joy” which means it should lead our thinking process and lead to a different assessment of trials than what is natural. To be happy about trials appears insane. It means the person must have a mindset of living beyond the physical assessment of daily upsets, problems, and concerns. How does a person go about this? It is obvious this must be a person who realizes everything is in God’s hand and is purposeful. This is expressed as, “And let endurance have its perfect result” (James 1:4). The idea of recognizing all things have a purpose for an intended result means the person who encounters a trial will always have God and what He is purposely doing foremost in their mind. The purposeful end is stated by James as, “being complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4b).

God is working through the circumstances of life on each of His true children. This emphasis on trials lets us know that trials do something for us in our life and development that nothing else can do. They are necessary and that is why God gives them. The end in view is one of emerging stronger and purer as metal tried in fire.  James is really telling us that not only are trials to be expected, but even more they are to be embraced. Just as Christ had to endure the cross on our behalf, He did so as Hebrews 12 states, “for the joy set before Him.” We must also endure for our greater good trusting God all the way. What is the greater good here? He specifically names our endurance (James 1:3). We need endurance!  One of the chief doctrines found in Scripture is perseverance. Those in Christ will persevere or endure to the end. It is a quality in union with and a component of true faith.  It is also a means to demonstrate that our faith is genuine. Peter says in 1 Peter 1:7, “that the proof of your faith…even tested by fire, may result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” He later says, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).  He tells us by this that one of the reasons we have trials is then for others. We need to be tested so they can see our testing, and so that when others are tested, we can be of use to them.  Paul tells us that God is the source of all comfort, “Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Or put another way, God puts trials in our path and then takes us through them so that when those we love around us are going through trials, we may also be an instrument by our own experience enabled to help them.

This brings us to the special associations we have with fellow Christians through Christ’s Church. Our journey through life is not alone. We have God’s Word through the ministry of the Church to strengthen us, and we have fellowship with the saints to encourage, help, and enrich us. Of late we have had a number of severe trials of dear brethren at GBC. What a blessing to know what God’s Word promises as we go through such deep water. And, how precious is the union we have with one another facing difficulties so that as trees in the forest, we have those around us to aid in significant and effective ways. By faith we must nurture the mind of Christ. This alone will help us in trials to share the deep attitude expressed by James, and by this strengthen others in their times of difficulty as well.