James 1:

2 Consider it great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials.

3 Because you know that the testing of your faith, produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its full effect so that you may be mature and complete lacking nothing.  

The word “trials” in this case, refers to adversity, affliction, and trouble. It’s hard to be joyful in these situations, isn’t it? But that’s not exactly what James is saying. He says to “consider” it great joy. Beth Moore put it this way, “The word ‘consider’ calls us to a mental exercise, not an emotion.” He’s not telling us to be joyful but to consider it.

 In 2012, our neighbors directly across the street from us manipulated the gas valves to their home and filled the house with gas. They set a metal cylinder in the microwave and programmed it to turn on at 11:10 P.M. No one was home at the time, and their house became a two-story bomb on November 10 at 11:10 P.M. Two of our neighbors living next door to the home were killed and several other neighbors injured. Our home and cars were destroyed and we found ourselves walking into the night with the clothes on our backs, our phones, and our dogs. It was months of dealing with insurance and homeland security, replacing our vehicles, finding a place to live, and settling into a new normal. Yet, I have gleaned joy from the experience: moments that I will always treasure, a new perspective on life and “stuff”, and a much closer walk with God. One of the most tender moments I shared with God came 6 days after the explosion.

My husband Tony and I were staying in a hotel until we could find some place to live. Up to that point, we were constantly together or had people with us, but I had no time to myself. This particular morning, I got the time. Tony had to go to work for a little while and I was alone in the hotel room. I got my Styrofoam cup with coffee and my Bible that Tony had retrieved from the house and sat down to be with my God. He led me to Job 1:20-22,

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying:

Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will leave this life.
The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything

and Habakkuk 3:17-18,

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there is no fruit on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though the flocks disappear from the pen
and there are no herds in the stalls,
yet I will celebrate in the Lord;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

He reminded me of praising him in the midst of trials. He reminded me that he was trustworthy. I felt his strength, his compassion, his love, his strong shoulder. I treasure that moment. Drawing closer to him as a result of this was priceless.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Have you ever known what it is, in times of peace and quietness, to feel as if you missed the grandeur of the presence of God? I have looked back to times of trial with a kind of longing, not to have them return, but to feel the strength of God as I have felt it then, to feel the power of faith as I have felt it then, to hang upon God’s powerful arm as I hung upon it then, and to see God at work as I saw it then.” [1]

Have you ever experienced this kind of dependence on God?

This is the joy James is speaking of. We are all going to experience trials. Notice, James says “whenever” not “if”. Chuck Swindoll wrote, “Few things are certain in this world, but troubles, hardships, challenges to faith – count on it – will come.”[2] Consider it great joy.

By the way, our neighbors were convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit arson to collect insurance money. Three people were convicted and each received anywhere from 50 years to life for their crime.

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[1] Spurgeon, Commentary on James, 9

[2] Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights Vol 13, 21