James, the Lord’s half-brother, wrote a letter to Jewish believers that were scattered beyond Jerusalem in an effort to encourage them and instruct them in their faith. The epistle that bears his name in our Bibles is that letter. He opened that letter with “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4).
The word for temptations here is not that which refers to being tempted to do wrong. Rather, the word simply refers to trials or difficulties. Note that James says “when” because it is not a matter of “if” such trials and difficulties should come for they will indeed come. Sickness, financial reversals, strained relationships, the death of a loved one to list a few are all common events in our battered existence in this sin-cursed world.
From our perspective, we “fall” into these difficult circumstances. None of us plan to go through these things deliberately. They simply come upon us and overtake us much like driving on an icy road. Though mindful of ice on the road, when the skid begins we are powerless and go wherever it takes us. We almost feel at that moment as a spectator. The seeming random occurrence of these difficulties make them all the more unsavory and hard to swallow. What is truly remarkable, however, is that James tells his audience to count it all joy!
The key to counting it all joy lies in “knowing” that these chafing experiences though seemingly indiscriminate and inescapable come from the hand of a loving and all-wise heavenly Father for an eternal purpose. They are measured unto us in weight, longevity, and frequency by a sovereign God for the purpose of “trying of our faith.”
James adds that the trying of our faith “worketh patience” and it is this patience that leads to “experience,” Paul’s word to describe the cultivation of Christ-like character in the life of the believer (Romans 5:1-5). Consequently, we rejoice in the purpose behind the difficulty knowing that it is framed exactly to serve our highest good and God’s eternal glory.
Child of God, the next time you encounter trial or difficulty let these truths govern your thinking and “let patience have her perfect work.” Do not resist what your heavenly Father has designed for your good, but receive it willingly. Indeed, count it all joy!
From the Chaplain 