James 1:2-4 (NIV)“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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Joy is a Choice- Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ.

It’s been difficult for me to consider everything that happens as joy. How can anyone think of joy when you have a flat tire and you’ll be late to work? There is no joy when you are sick. You feel no joy when your paycheck doesn’t cover all the bills. The absence of joy occurs when someone you love is ill or passes from this life. Joy is missing even in the mundane things we have to do every day.  It seems counterintuitive to find joy in hard things. But I have good news about the word “consider.” This word comes from the Greek verb, hegeomai. It means to lead, go before, rule or command, and have authority over. 

The word “divers” here refers to the various kinds of trials which they might experience – sickness, poverty, bereavement, persecution, etc. They were to count it a matter of joy that their religion was subjected to anything that tried it. It is well for us to have the reality of our religion tested, in whatever way it may be done. Bible Hub

Consider it all joy when you face various trials. These are not the temptations of Satan or temptations to sin. Such temptations can’t be a source of joy, but rather grief. They are fiery darts that cause uneasiness and trouble. Yet, afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel are trials of the faith of God’s people. They also test other graces of the Spirit of God. God by these tempts his people, as he did Abraham when he called him to sacrifice his son; he thereby tried his faith, fear, love, and obedience; so by afflictions, God tries the graces of his people; not that he might know them, for he is not ignorant of them, but that they might be made manifest to others; and these are “divers”: many are the afflictions of the righteous; through much tribulation, they must enter the kingdom; Bible Hub

Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles. These exercises are sent from God’s love. Trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, to set patience, not passion, to work in us. Whatever is said or done, let patience be responsible for the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is finished, it will supply all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should pray less for the removal of affliction. Instead, we should seek wisdom to make the right use of it. Bible Hub

James isn’t suggesting we simply pull a happy emotion from thin air and decide to go with it. Instead, he believes in choosing joy, which means choosing Jesus. Allowing Him to lead rather than our feelings is the way to endure our troubles. Now, I don’t know about you, but this idea is far easier for me to wrap my mind around! In your deepest, darkest times, you can choose joy. Make this choice before fears and what-ifs lead you to panic. Choosing joy will go against everything your senses tell you. Allowing joy to lead you activates your faith in God. It proves you believe Jesus is alive! 

Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments. Bible Hub