You’re going to go for a doctor’s appointment next week and he’s going to tell you that you have irregular test results that might indicate cancer. You’re going to get in your car tomorrow morning, late for work, and the battery is going to be dead. Your sink will begin to drip, and it will keep you awake all night long. You’re going to get a headache behind your eye that will last for the rest of the day. Who’s going to be the first to smile through these trials? Who’s going to volunteer to joyfully have each one of these happen to them or their loved ones? A couple of observations to note as we discuss “the joy of a trial” from James 1:2-4:
- They are called “trials” which has at the root: “unpleasantness” and “suffering.” Trials are not by nature, enjoyable, and they are not generally scenarios that someone would willingly choose for themselves (John 12:27; Matt. 26:38-39).
- James amends this word “trials” by adding the adjective “various” which indicates all manner of them: big ones, little ones, long ones, short ones, repeated ones, annoying ones, life-changing ones, and all those in-between (2 Cor. 11:25-28).
- James says we “fall into” these trials with the picture of someone who has walked unwittingly into a pit and has fallen headlong into it. They come unexpectedly, disrupt our daily life, and can be miserable (2 Cor. 12:7-8).
- Fundamentally, these trials are not anything that anyone would instinctively or normally think that they might find joy. The truth of our God is that He can turn every challenge into an opportunity for patience and maturity…if we will yield to Him (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
- Through Jesus, the Christian who finds himself/herself in one of these trials is compelled to and commanded to reckon that trial as joy. Why is that the case?
- It is only through trials that we can gain patience. We learn to wait on the Lord (Isa. 40:31). Patience put into practice means we remain “under the load” of our trials until relief comes (Jas. 5:7-11). We are not seeking to cast it off or deal with the trial in a sinful way. Instead, trials can teach patience when the Lord is at the center of our focus (Heb. 12:1-3).
- It is only through trials that we can gain maturity (Jas. 1:3-4). Patience, properly exercised, will yield godly maturity. This is James’ purpose in writing his book: He wants Christians to be and to behave in a mature manner. Many people face trials and become volcanos spewing hot ash and scorched earth in trials. Yet, God’s purpose for Christians: Christ formed in you (Gal. 4:19)!
- It is only through trials that we can suffer with and identify with Jesus (Phil. 3:8-11). Jesus came and gave His life for all humanity (Mark 10:45). He was not shy about declaring the difficulties and suffering of being His disciple (Luke 9:23; John 15:18-27; Acts 9:16). Fascinating truth: the times New Testament writers wanted to make a point about Christian service and virtue, they would tie it back to what Jesus did at the cross (Phil. 2:1-11; John 15:13; Eph. 5:1-2; Eph. 5:22-33; 2 Cor. 8-9). God wants to fashion us into the form of Jesus, but He cannot do that fully without trials and suffering (Heb. 5:8).
- It is only through trials that we can long for and truly appreciate the relief of heaven. One of the beautiful aspects of Christian worship is the ability to sing (Jas. 5:13). As Christians sing together, we reflect on our common hopes for the full realization of the salvation of God. Though it is hard to comprehend, trials faced with patience will make heaven all the sweeter for us. Why do you suppose the Bible ends with a picture of the church glorified in Heaven?
You and I can find joy in trials, because we have a Savior who has conquered death and has given a joy that can never be taken from us (John 16:20-24)! What a fellowship, what a joy divine!