PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY - MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT
Jan. 25th, 2026
COUNT IT AS PURE JOY WHEN YOU FACE TRIALS.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV)
If you interviewed tens of thousands of people and asked if they see anything positive about trials or sufferings, all of them will probably have the same answer - NO. People want a life of comfort, a life where everything works and no hassle. But James sees trials differently, as a positive thing not negative. Typically, a trial is not an occasion for joy. James isn’t suggesting that we pursue trials or court hardship; neither are we to pretend that trials are enjoyable to endure. Trials are difficult and painful. But they exist for a purpose. Trials have the potential of producing something good in us, and, for this reason, they are an opportunity for expressing joy. James urges us to work on changing our attitude toward troubles from dread to positive expectation, faith, trust, and even joy. James does not merely say “count it joy,” but he says “count it all joy”; that is, we can consider trials and testings as pure, unalloyed, total joy.
Why? Because testing produces the best in us. Was this why the likes of Moses, Job, Abraham, Joseph, David and many more succeeded? The Prodigal son went from comfort into trials. It was the trials that woke him up to reality and which brought him joy. Paul also says; we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5 NIV)
God also uses trials to discipline us: “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Trials help to purge our spiritual shortcomings and mature our faith. They promote joy because they produce holiness in the life of steadfast believers. God uses trials to curb our excesses, our pride, self-dependence, and to cultivate His fear in us.
The trials and sufferings of believers are on-going and bearable because Jesus Christ is in it with us.
THE WORD: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while." (1 Pet.1.6.NLT)
KBA Tracts
Follow KBA Tracts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/19kNSm3rt7/
www.kbatracts.com.ng
Jan. 25th, 2026
COUNT IT AS PURE JOY WHEN YOU FACE TRIALS.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV)
If you interviewed tens of thousands of people and asked if they see anything positive about trials or sufferings, all of them will probably have the same answer - NO. People want a life of comfort, a life where everything works and no hassle. But James sees trials differently, as a positive thing not negative. Typically, a trial is not an occasion for joy. James isn’t suggesting that we pursue trials or court hardship; neither are we to pretend that trials are enjoyable to endure. Trials are difficult and painful. But they exist for a purpose. Trials have the potential of producing something good in us, and, for this reason, they are an opportunity for expressing joy. James urges us to work on changing our attitude toward troubles from dread to positive expectation, faith, trust, and even joy. James does not merely say “count it joy,” but he says “count it all joy”; that is, we can consider trials and testings as pure, unalloyed, total joy.
Why? Because testing produces the best in us. Was this why the likes of Moses, Job, Abraham, Joseph, David and many more succeeded? The Prodigal son went from comfort into trials. It was the trials that woke him up to reality and which brought him joy. Paul also says; we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5 NIV)
God also uses trials to discipline us: “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Trials help to purge our spiritual shortcomings and mature our faith. They promote joy because they produce holiness in the life of steadfast believers. God uses trials to curb our excesses, our pride, self-dependence, and to cultivate His fear in us.
The trials and sufferings of believers are on-going and bearable because Jesus Christ is in it with us.
THE WORD: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while." (1 Pet.1.6.NLT)
KBA Tracts
Follow KBA Tracts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/19kNSm3rt7/
www.kbatracts.com.ng
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