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 The Response of Trials 

Trials in life can break us, as Ernest Hemingway has written, and we are to expect them, says James in his letter to Jewish believers who were experiencing the trials of persecution for their faith. We asked the question at the end of the previous devotion, “How do we respond to trials?” 

James gives us four different answers to this important question. First, he sends these fellow believers “Greetings.” This little word in the Greek does not mean hello, or what’s up, or how are you doing? It is a command to rejoice or to be satisfied. What James is saying to his brothers and sisters in Christ is his command for them to be satisfied with where they are and to rejoice because they are experiencing these trials together in Christ. What an incredible truth… our trials are an opportunity for contentment and rejoicing.

Next, he writes to his brothers – those who were experiencing trials with him. We can know from this that we do not experience trials alone and that we can look to other believers to help us through trials. God has provided the fellowship of believers to walk with us through difficult times which is also another reason to rejoice.

Third, he tells them to count it all joy when they fall into various trials. We have all experienced trials of varying kinds and we should expect them given that Jesus told us to expect them; however, James tells them to count it all joy. What he is telling his audience is to consider, get the facts, step back and take a good look at what is going on. Why? To see the Lord in the middle of the trial. He then tells them to have all joy. Not a little joy or some joy, but all joy. Literally total joy, joy that is not tainted by depression or self-pity. Why? Because they can see Christ in the middle of the trial. 

Finally, James uses the word knowing. In the Greek this is a word that translates to know by experience. In other words, the only way to get this knowing is by experience. The only way to know Christ fully in the middle of a trial and thus to have joy is to experience the trial. 

How do we respond to trials? With joy, because we know and have experienced Christ in the midst of our trials.