“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” - James 1:2-4

I want to have joy in my life. Don’t you? Happiness, as described, is based on happenings. We are happy only if good things are happening. However, I want something more permanent than that, something that is not fleeting but persists even during difficult seasons. I want joy. If you, like me, desire joy, let’s discuss the one way to discover joy even when discontent with the happenings of life.

In the first few verses of the Epistle of James, he acknowledges the reality that life can be loaded with “various trials.” However, in those few verses, we also find an appeal to consider it a great joy whenever we experience these trials. How is this possible? How can I consider it joy when going through a challenging season?

Reflecting on James 1:2, I am drawn to that first phrase, “Consider it a great joy...” The second thing that draws my attention is the word “...knowing.” This implies that there is a particular thing that I must know and remember. What do we know that we ought to consider, is the question. Verse 3 explains that it is the truth that the testing of our faith, whatever it may be, will produce endurance. Essentially, we are being asked to consider the sovereignty of God in our difficulties.

…the joy that James prescribes is found in the intentional consideration of the sovereignty of God.

It is easy to lose sight of the truth that God desires our sanctification and the development of Christlike character, and that he often leverages the difficulties we experience to that end. The means of obtaining the joy that James prescribes is found in the intentional consideration of the sovereignty of God. We arrive at joy when we arrive at trust - trust in the sovereignty of God working through all our challenging happenings. We need to be assured that God works for the benefit of those he loves and for his ultimate glory.

Discover joy by reminding yourself of God’s sovereignty. When I remind myself that God is aware of whatever is happening in my life, I find peace and joy in my soul, which becomes my strength. He plans something through this, which is for your benefit, and that gives you joy. The means of obtaining or arriving at joy is by stirring up your heart and setting your mind on allowing the testing of your faith to produce endurance and, subsequently, a more profound, Christlike maturity.

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