#36 Top 40 New Testament Passages: Pure Joy in Trials (James 1:2-4)

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Have you ever noticed that there are two kinds of people on rollercoasters? The picture below shows them both. One type white knuckles their way through the big drop, and twists and turns of the experience. The other type throws their hands up in joyous abandon. Which kind are you?

"The Beast" Rollercoaster at King's Island

James is the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem, the very first church. He writes to the churches spread throughput the Roman Empire around 50-60 AD. The reformer Martin Luther did not like the letter of James, calling it an "epistle of straw". Martin Luther's reform included the slogan "By faith alone!" Luther's problem with James can be seen in the following passage. Faith is known by the good works one does, not by simply believing. 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

The Jewishness of James' letter makes it remarkably different from other New Testament letters. Jesus is only mentioned once, in the greeting. This is not a letter with Christology. Faith in Jesus Christ is assumed, but there's no teaching in James that couldn't be shared with any obedient Jew who keeps the law of Moses. He even refers to the Church as the 12 tribes in the dispersion. In other words, James thought of the church as the new Israel. Some have argued that as Pauline theology became more prominent the more Jewish authors of the New Testament were marginalized by the Church. The order of our New Testament books may be an example of that. Paul's documents follow the gospels and Luke's Acts of the Apostles. James, Jude and Peter's letters are near the end of the collection.

James' opening to the letter acknowledges the persecutions that followers of Jesus were experiencing. These trials ought not to bring disparity, but joy! I don't know about you, but when trouble comes my way I'm not joyful. I spend too much time in "poor me" land. I rant and grumble when trials come, just like the Israelites did on their journey through the wilderness. James reminds us that there is divine purpose to be enjoyed in the midst of trials. It's a lot like how we choose to ride a rollercoaster. 

When trials come do you white knuckle it? Do you pray for the trial to end soon? Do you fret and grumble? Do you wonder if God even hears you? Do you begin to question your faith? Do you isolate yourself from God and others? Trouble has a way of making us alone and lonely, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. You are never alone with Christ in your life.

When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, God was with them. God was present by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Even still, the Hebrews complained when things got tough. Some wanted to go back to Egyptian slavery rather than face the uncertainty of the wilderness. But God provided throughout. 

I have led you forty years in the wilderness. The clothes on your back have not worn out, and the sandals on your feet have not worn out... (Deuteronomy 29:5)

And when they grumbled against Moses and Aaron, their appointed leaders, they were grumbling against God. With mercy, God continued to answer their need with manna from heaven, pigeons on the wind, and water from the rock, until the arrived in the Promised Land.

Trials of many kinds happen in our journey through life. Most are minor derailments, but some crush our spirits. Job was crushed by the death of all his children and the loss of all his wealth. His tragedy was most severe. He cried out to God, wanting to understand why. He had never done anything evil or wicked enough to deserve such punishment. Job didn't get an answer. His wife told him to curse God and die. (Job 2:9) Through it all Job remained faithful to God, even if it appeared that God had abandoned him. In the end Job learned to accept the tragedy that had befallen him and his family. He accepted the mystery of God. He accepted that he would find no reason. He humbled himself before the mystery of God. He acknowledged that he was only a man and not God. In the end Job was restored. He was blessed with new offspring and even more wealth than he had ever known. 

There's a consistent message in the Old Testament stories of the Israelite's wilderness wanderings and of Job. Both toilsome and painful journeys are leading to something God has in store for them. There is a promise ahead. There is Promised Land to be inherited for the children of Abraham. There is a new family and abundance for faithful Job. And when the Jews sat in exile in Babylon, the Lord sent them encouraging messages of hope through the prophets. There are better days ahead! 

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The same is true to you in your journey of faith. When trials come, don't curse God. Don't complain and grumble. Don't lose heart, because the one who has overcome the world is with you! God is providing for you through everything, even difficulties. Trust that better days are ahead. 

We are not called to white knuckle, grit our teeth, and wish our trials away. There is a gift God is giving you in the midst of trials. It is a persevering spirit, a spiritual maturity which you do not yet possess. So why not throw up your hands in joyful anticipation of receiving the gift God has planned for you. In every trial there is a testing or proving of your faith. Let your faith be proved! Participate freely in your evolution! Take joy in knowing God is training you, developing as a strong and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, as you endure the trials of life. God will add to you wisdom, courage, strength and abounding love as you persevere in the Lord's grace. God will add to you until you are complete in Christ, not lacking a thing! 

So take joy in every trial. You are better and fuller for it.