“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3 speaks about counting it all joy when we face trials. At first, this feels impossible - like trying to smile through tears. But there's something incredible hidden in these words that changes everything about how we view life's challenges.
Maybe you're in one of those seasons right now. The kind where everything feels heavy, where each step forward seems to require more strength than you have. I've walked through valleys like that, where questions outnumber answers and doubt tries to overshadow faith.
These seasons of testing aren't random hardships. They're moments of formation. Like clay being shaped by careful hands, pressure becomes purpose. Difficulty becomes development. What feels like breaking is actually becoming.
Think about gold being refined by fire. The heat isn't pleasant, but it's necessary. It's the very thing that removes impurities and reveals something precious. Our trials work in much the same way - burning away what's temporary to reveal what's lasting.
When the bills stack up, when relationships strain, when health challenges arise - these moments aren't just obstacles to overcome. They're opportunities to experience God's faithfulness in new ways. To discover strength we never knew we had because we never needed it before.
This changes everything about how we face trials. Instead of asking "Why is this happening?" we begin asking "What is this building in me?" Every challenge carries purpose. Every difficulty holds potential for growth.
When we embrace trials as opportunities rather than obstacles, something shifts in our perspective. We start to understand that God isn't just allowing these challenges - He's using them to craft something beautiful in us. Something that couldn't be formed any other way.
The path of growth isn't meant to be easy. Comfort rarely leads to development. It's in the challenging moments, the times when we have to lean fully into our faith, that real growth happens.
Today, whatever trial you're facing might feel overwhelming. Remember that this challenge isn't meaningless. It's part of a greater purpose, shaping something in you that couldn't be formed any other way. Count it joy - not because the trial itself is pleasant, but because through it, God is at work, building strength, character, and faith that will last far beyond this present moment.
Trust in this: every trial you face today is preparing you for tomorrow. And in that preparation, there's a joy that goes beyond circumstances - a joy found in knowing that through every challenge, God is shaping you into who you're meant to become.