Pure Joy! This usually is not our first reaction when we face trials of various kinds. Yet, that is exactly what James, the brother of Jesus, is encouraging us to experience in the midst of trials and temptations. To be able to achieve this joy, we need to have the right perspective anytime a trial comes our way.

Our first response is usually to worry or complain. However, if we were looking at our trials from God’s perspective then perhaps worry or complaint would not be our first reaction. According to the Strong’s concordance one of the meanings of joy in the original language was, “the cause or occasion of joy.”[i] In view of this, if we were looking at our trials from God’s perspective, we would discover that God allows trials and temptations in our lives as an opportunity for us to grow and to become all that He intends us to be! From this perspective, we can see that trials are amazing opportunities and therefore each one can be an occasion for joy. Let’s change our thinking! If we do, it will change our lives!

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11).

“Lord, help me to look at the trials and temptations in my life from Your perspective. Help me to look at them as amazing opportunities so that I can become all that You intend me to be. Amen!”