Creator, Father, King #324

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.

HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN your leg and exclaimed, “What fun I’m having!”?

Have you ever endured teasing from others and said, “Wow, this is great! I hope every day is like this!”?

Have you ever survived a tornado, earthquake, avalanche, tsunami, volcanic eruption, wildebeest stampede, and a neighbor’s very territorial Chihuahua—all on the same day—and remarked afterward, “Yippee! Let’s do it again tomorrow!”?

No, of course not! That would be ridiculous.

This is all hyperbole, of course, but hopefully, you get the point: life’s trials aren’t pleasant, and nobody wants to go through them. How, then, are we supposed to understand today’s verse, which says we are to count trials as “all joy”?

Is that a typo?

What’s It Mean?

No, that’s not an error. God’s Word is perfectly true (Proverbs 30:5). It’s really possible to view trials as “all joy.” But how? It sounds counterintuitive to our human instincts, which are to avoid hardships and seek comfort and serenity in life at all costs.

The reality is, we live in a fallen world, and trials are a part of life. For the next eight days, we’re going to look at what Scripture says about trials and how we should walk through them.

If you are a Christian, you can navigate the challenges of life much differently than the world does. But some context is needed. Look at James 1:2-4:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (ESV).

Christians can count trials as “all joy” because trials are designed—yes, designed—for our spiritual growth. Trials might feel like random and arbitrary events to us, but not to God. He sovereignly ordains our lives (Proverbs 16:9). If you are a believer, he uses everything that happens in your life—both positive and negative—for your ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

We will discuss these things more over the coming days. You probably have more questions about trials and God’s sovereignty. But for now, may you trust in the Lord who perfectly rules over all things, including the difficulties of your life.

Now What?

Read these other passages on trials and suffering: Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 10:32-39; 1 Peter 1:6-7; and 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Did You Know?

We must be careful to differentiate between trials and temptations to sin. God never tempts anyone to sin (James 1:13).