“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1:2. Why? What good are trials, and why should suffering please us?

“…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (1:3) Ah, so joy means essentially being satisfied with the understanding that this trial will strengthen you for even more difficult times: it will enable you to persevere to the end, where you will receive the “crown of life.” (v. 12)

And what will perseverance net us? It will make us “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (v. 4) A-hah! So once again we see joy as not so much an emotion, but a state of being, one that is focused on the future instead of the present. So while we live today as if tomorrow may neve come, our attitudes are predicated on the fact that there is an eternal “tomorrow” that will most assuredly come.

I love how James takes a little detour here, and talks about wisdom. Given the context, wisdom must be part of that maturity, that being made complete. The greatest part about this is that you can’t screw yourself out of this one: God gives wisdom to all who ask without finding fault. The only way to fail? Doubt.

SO, next time you’re suffering, think of what it will net you. And ask God for the wisdom to respond appropriately. And be joyful!