Joy in Trials
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” - James 1:2-3
For most of my life as a Christian, I have heard these famous words from James and have found them challenging, to say the least. They are nice to give a hearty “amen” to during a sermon but then there is that whole little part about having to actually put them into practice. I love the thought of considering trials pure joy...until I face trials. Then, what I actually want, is to curl up in a ball and whine until I get adequately comforted.
Recently, we were unable to make it to a sibling’s wedding, when we were the officiants. Our niece died suddenly, three weeks before delivery and our family was thrown into mourning. Our oldest son split his chin open and needed stitches. My daughter had to go to the doctor for an allergic bee reaction (which we didn’t know she had). Our family tested positive for COVID, and, a dear friend of ours took his own life.
Early on during the pandemic, we had a friend challenge us to ACTUALLY thank God for the trials. Seems counter-intuitive, right? What I found though, was that as I began to thank Him, I began to see the redemptive hand of God at work in every situation and what was previously a thorn in my side became a reason to hope, and a reason to rejoice.
I’ve been reminded of what Paul said in Romans: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Rom 5:3-4)
Do you know what I love about that verse? God’s “end goal” for us in not just to endure the trial, nor is it for us to come away from the trial with “better character.” Rather, His “end goal” for us, is Hope.
And that hope? It’s not just some wishful thinking. It’s an anchor for our soul (Heb 6:19). And it doesn’t disappoint (Rom 5:5). Instead, God’s Hope, fills us with His all-surpassing Love, allowing us to overflow with resurrected LIFE by the power of The Holy Spirit.
So, we’re learning to land in God’s Hope. We’re learning to thank God for the Hope that is within each trial we’re facing. Not because we like the trials. But because even in the pain, we are finding Him. And as we find Him in each circumstance, we find His Hope. And as we declare this Hope in the midst of tears and pain, we have noticed it produces a type of joy. Not the light-hearted, laughing, wrapped in fun type of joy, but rather, a steadfast, hopeful, weighted, unshakeable, inexplainable type of joy wrapped in peace, that only comes through Him. In other words, though our circumstances don’t change, God’s presence, and Hope, permeates through and makes everything different.
Our prayer today is that wherever you are, and whatever circumstance you’re facing, that you may experience this same Hope. May the God of Hope, fill you, with all joy, and all peace, as you trust in Him, so that you might overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13) We love each and every one of you and are hugging you from across the waves!
