“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials…” James 1:2

That single phrase keeps pressing in on me lately: Consider it all joy. Scripture is the inerrant Word of God, so this command must be 100% true and possible—even when trials feel anything but joyful. James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote these words to encourage the early church amid persecution and hardship. Centuries later, they still speak directly to us because trials haven’t gone anywhere. They’ve just taken new forms.

I’ll be honest. Most days, when trials hit, I don’t instinctively respond with joy. My heart sometimes races with worry, frustration, or even resentment. I try to “find the silver lining,” but the joy often slips away like sand through my fingers. Yet I know God wouldn’t command something impossible. So I’ve been pressing in deeper, asking for wisdom on how to actually live this out. If you’re like me—struggling to hold onto joy when life feels heavy—keep reading. There’s hope here, and practical help.

Trials are inevitable. Note that James doesn’t say if we face trials; he says when. Life in a fallen world guarantees them. The phrase “various trials” (or “trials of many kinds”) uses the Greek word peirasmos, which covers a broad spectrum: tests of our faith (often allowed or sent by God for growth) and temptations (snares set by the enemy to make us stumble). Strong’s Concordance describes it as trials of uncertain origin—sometimes circumstantial, sometimes spiritual warfare, often a mix we can’t fully trace.

What qualifies as a trial? The range is wide. For one person, it’s the devastating loss of a loved one; for another, it may be something like chronic health issues, financial strain, a broken relationship, or even the frustration of misplaced car keys. However, it’s important to remember no trial is too big or too small to fall outside God’s redemptive purpose. All of them—whether from happenstance, the enemy’s schemes, or God’s refining hand—can be used for our good and sanctification (Romans 8:28).

And when you think about it, all of these work to bring us to our knees. The Bible describes the enemy’s schemes and notes the snares he sets to lure us into temptation (Luke 21:35; 1 Timothy 3:7; 6:9; 2 Timothy 2:26). Stop with me and think for a moment about what a snare does. When properly set, it remains almost hidden until someone steps into the noose, at which point it grabs their foot and causes them to fall to their knees. In addition to leading us to fall prey to sin, temptation can ultimately cause us to fall into defeat and shame. But that’s the beautiful thing about our relationship with Christ and our standing as Children of God. He meets us on our knees to lift us up with His amazing grace and ardent love.

He has the same thing in mind for trials that have gone through His hand. Testing, if met with fear or anxiety, can crush us emotionally. But if we choose trust, that same kneeling becomes an act of surrender—drawing us closer to the Lord. That’s where the shift happens.

And when we look more closely, we find that purpose fuels the joy. Notice that James doesn’t stop at the command to simply consider it all joy. He gives the why: “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4).

In simple terms, trials test our faith like a workout tests our muscles. The resistance builds strength through endurance. The word used here is hypomonē in Greek, which Strong’s describes as “the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” It means steadfastness, constancy, and perseverance. When we let that endurance run its full course without quitting or shortcutting it, God shapes us into mature, complete believers who lack nothing essential for godly living.  

This isn’t about enjoying pain itself. Trials aren’t joyful in the moment. Instead, it’s a deliberate choice to view them through the eyes of faith. We “count it all joy” because we know the bigger picture: these hardships aren’t pointless. They’re tools God uses to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). The joy comes from trusting the process and anticipating the outcome—deeper character, stronger faith, greater intimacy with God.

Biblical joy isn’t fleeting happiness tied to good circumstances. It’s a deep, steady contentment rooted in God’s presence and promises, even in the storm. It’s peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing we’re not alone and that God is working for our ultimate good. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

So how do we move from head knowledge to heart reality? Here are some actionable ways to apply James 1:2-4 when trials hit:

1. Name the trial and reframe it immediately.
When difficulty arises, pause and pray something like: “Lord, this hurts, but I choose to count it joy because I know You’re using it to build endurance in me.” Write it down in a journal—what the trial is, how it feels, and one truth from this passage about its purpose. This small act of “considering” shifts your perspective from victim to participant in God’s growth plan.

2. Lean into prayer for wisdom and strength.
James continues right after this passage by urging us to ask God for wisdom if we lack it (James 1:5). In trials, pray specifically: “God, give me eyes to see how You’re at work here. Help me trust the process.” Daily prayer keeps your heart aligned and reminds you that joy is a gift from Him, not something you manufacture.

3. Choose gratitude over grumbling.
Start a “trial gratitude list.” Each day, note one way God might be using this hardship—perhaps teaching patience, deepening empathy, drawing you to Scripture, or exposing an area needing repentance. Gratitude doesn’t deny pain; it reframes it. Over time, it trains your heart to spot God’s hand more quickly.

4. Let endurance do its work—don’t shortcut it.
Avoid numbing the pain with distractions (endless scrolling, overworking, escapism). Instead, stay present: read Scripture daily (Psalms are always my go-to as they are great for raw honesty in suffering), worship through songs that declare God’s faithfulness, and share with trusted believers. Community provides encouragement and reminds you you’re not alone.

5. Look back to build forward faith. Reflect on past trials. How did God use them? What growth came? Let these past testimonies strengthen your resolve for the current one and remind you that you can hold unswervingly to the hope you profess because God has always been and will always be faithful (Hebrews 10:23). Remember, even when all you can see is an ugly lump of adversity, the Potter’s hands are sculpting something beautiful.

6. Consider the trials of others for added encouragement. Connect with Christian friends who you know have experienced a similar challenge in their lives. Use the Ardently His app to find similar stories from others who were once exactly in the same difficulty, and listen to how Christ met them in their circumstances with His ardent love and comfort, the same love and comfort that is available to you right now.

7. Remember the end goal: maturity in Christ.
When joy feels distant, anchor in the promise that perseverance leads to being “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” You’re not being punished; you’re being perfected. Let that hope sustain you through the hardest days.

Sister, if joy in trials still eludes you sometimes, that’s okay. It’s a process. James wrote to people just like us, weary and wrestling. But the command is possible because the Holy Spirit empowers it. Start small: choose one trial today, count it joy by faith, and watch God work.

May we all learn, by grace, to consider it all joy, knowing He’s always faithful and we are ardently loved.

Ardently His,

Leah

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