My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. — James 1:2
It seems that just when you think that things are going well, something always happens that brings you down. It is the ups and downs of life that can cause us to stress and worry over things that we normally wouldn’t think about. For example, just one set of bloodwork at the doctor that is out of range and needs further testing can cause us to worry about our health when it was perhaps the furthest thing from our mind.
The results of those further tests may be nothing. Sometimes, it was just the precursor to a bigger trial that we may face. The guarantee of it all is that there will be trials that we face in life. James is writing here and he talks about divers temptations. If you study the original meanings of the words, the divers temptations that he refers to are those things that will test our faith.
The word divers refers to the variety of trials that it could be. It could be trials of poverty, sickness, persecution, or even the loss of a loved one. In many circumstances, it is the temptations that present to us without warning. Those moments seem to catch us by surprise.
James gives some interesting guidance for Christians in saying to find joy in those trials. If you think about the examples above, are any of those situations joyous occasions? I don’t know many people who were happy when they were sick, persecuted, or found themselves in poverty. That’s exactly what James said that we should do.
It seems to be an odd command. How can we find joy in the trials of life? Joy can only be found when we turn over all the things in our lives to God. This does not mean that the trial will be easy, or that we will understand everything. It means that we realize that the things we face are working for God’s purpose and plan. It means that God is actively working in our lives to teach us and make us what He wants us to be. Trials are never easy, but you can find joy when you realize that God uses trials for a purpose.
