James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:1–4, HCSB
Has anyone ever told you, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” I know it’s cliche and well-intentioned, but it’s much easier said than done when life deals you a lemon. Responding with a scowl would be understandable, no matter how well-intended the remark.
God’s Word tells us to expect lemons in this life in the form of trials. Trials are no fun; they are hard to endure, much less with a positive countenance. It’s tough to turn our sour lemons into sweet lemonade. It seems beyond our capabilities, and yet the Scriptures encourage us to have this perspective.
James describes his lemonade recipe in James 1, saying, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” My reaction to this passage used to be, “Really?” Over the years, I’ve learned not to loathe or love James’s statement but to appreciate its value. By understanding the context of his writings and looking back on my experiences with trials, I’ve come to see God’s plan for my life and the integral part trials have played in my spiritual growth.
The Apostle James, brother of Jesus, became a follower after Christ’s death. He was a leader of the church in Jerusalem, and he penned his epistle for Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman empire. It was a tumultuous time as their new faith took shape, as Christ’s followers transitioned from the Old Testament Law to the Gospel of Grace. The Scriptures tell us that the testing of their faith was necessary for them to spiritually mature, individually and as a body of believers. It is a timeless truth found throughout the Scriptures (John 16:33 and Acts 14:22), and it still applies to us today.
But what about “great joy”? Is it possible to endure trials with joy? The Greek word for joy, “chara,” translates to feelings of happiness, cheerfulness, and gladness—essentially, joyfulness itself. However, when you explore its meaning further, a deeper understanding emerges. The Logos Bible Sense Lexicon explains that “chara” carries the sense of dispelling gloom. I like how the Bible Project describes it. “Biblical joy is more than a happy feeling. It’s a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises.” I find that helpful in understanding what it means to consider it a great joy.
What are you facing today? Is it related to your health, finances, or a relationship gone sour? Maybe you are struggling with your faith or even God’s calling on your life.
Whatever form trials take, surely the Lord understands why we might hesitate to smile gleefully or jump for joy. But we can dispel the gloom by remembering that he will fulfill his promise to never abandon or forsake us as we endure the test and look forward with hope. Ask him for wisdom. Ultimately, our reliance on him enables us to “consider it a great joy.”
Shirley Ralston (MACE, 2008) is the Global Marketplace Missions Training Manager for The Upstream Collective. She is a writer and pastor’s research team member at Houston’s First Baptist Church (HFBC). Additionally, she is a founding member of the HFBC Missionary Care Team. Shirley and her husband, Jeff, reside in Houston after several years of serving as marketplace global workers in the Middle East and the South Pacific.
