James exhorts us to “consider it all joy when you encounter various trials” (1:2). Though trials are often painful in the moment, the Bible reminds us that the testing of our faith produces endurance making us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:3-4).

Yet when adversity comes, joy can feel like the last thing on our minds. Sometimes we think we’re already doing well if we simply don’t complain or turn away from God, as Job’s wife urged him to do (Job 2:9). Our natural responses to hardships tend to be frustration, fear or even discouragement.

In the same chapter, James also tells us to “be doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves” (1:22). We receive God’s Word through many channels (sermons, devotionals, personal reading, etc.), but how do we move from passively taking in His word to actively living it out? And more specifically, how do we practice joy in trials?

Joy is rooted in what we know to be true about God, even when our circumstances are difficult. We practice joy by remembering God’s character - His faithfulness, sovereignty and goodness - and choosing to anchor our hearts in these truths. We look beyond the trial to what God is producing in us: endurance, maturity of faith and deeper dependence on Him, trusting that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom 8:28).

There was a preacher whose house caught fire. Many had questions: Why was the preacher’s house burned? Why him? Didn’t God protect him? Yet, the preacher was not moved, echoing Job’s words, “Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)

Even in the midst of trial, he and his family found reasons to give thanks. For one, his mother, who was usually at home reading the Bible at that time, was not there. Everyone was safe. Though everything was almost burnt, their Bibles and hymn books were fine. A bag of cash received as an offering for the church was also not burnt. Additionally, the fire did not reach the kitchen, where a gas tank could have exploded.

Instead of asking, "Why did my house burn down when I am a preacher?”, he chose to focus on God’s grace. They lost their possessions, but not their faith. 

May God help us, likewise, to truly live by faith when our faith is tested, so that through patient endurance of various trials, we may gain a purer and more steadfast faith (1 Pet 1:6-7).