TUESDAY June 23, 2026
Count It All Joy
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4
James wrote to Christians who were going through tremendous times of testing. How many of us love trials and count it all joy? None of us do! We pray, “Lord, please take away my trials.” But our trials build character. Trials are actually good for us; they make us strong in the Lord. Listen, if you have a rough piece of wood, and you want to use it to make furniture, you first have to sand it in order to smooth out the rough edges. View your trials as sandpaper. They smooth out the rough edges of your character.
If you are being tried or tempted, how are you dealing with the situation? Some people murmur and complain; they have no joy. Yet joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). James tells us to ...count it all joy... when you are in the midst of trials. Why? God is using them to mold and shape your Christian character. Understand, God will not give you more than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you are going through difficult trials in your life, is your joy evident to others?
When other people see that you are joyful in your trials, you become a greater witness. They see your genuine faith and will be drawn to the God you serve. Again, joy is not the same as happiness. It is the inward work of the Holy Spirit that cannot be taken away by outward circumstances. You can have joy because you will be able to rest in the knowledge that God is working all things together for your good and according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
You see, trials are essential for your Christian life to produce patience. Patience is not going to happen overnight. Once more, you have to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in your life. When under the pressure of trials, the Lord will help you to have self-control over your emotions to produce patience.
Life’s trials are not easy. But in God’s will, each has a purpose.
~Warren Wiersbe~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
