2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.
This is one of my favorite verses in the book of James, because there is so much meat in this one verse. First, consider it a great JOY – Joy, not happiness, no an ecstatic feeling or emotion, but a state of being. It is a choice and a fruit of the Spirit. Being Joyful is part of the experience of being a Christian. James uses my brothers to show community of nation and faith. Whenever, not if or maybe you will, but When you experience trials, the word used here is not the same as temptation (not an allurement to sin) but a trial or distresses of any kind that test and purify the Christian character.
Today, we are certainly in an unprecedented time in our communities, country, and world, facing trials like nothing we have ever seen. James, reminds us that our lives are not free from trials, we will have them and we have a Choice on how we respond. Let’s respond with a JOYFUL heart and spirit to all our brothers!
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jas 1:2). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
