Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2 NIV
Isn't James annoying?
Trials
Joy
Who puts those things together willingly?
The word "trials" means "test" or "temptation" depending on the context.
On the weekend I watched the All Blacks play a Test match.
They willingly put all their training and resources and energy into that match.
To test themselves.
To willingly be put to the test.
And there's a joy in that (there's a different joy in winning)
Work, business, family, study, recreation...have you ever heard anyone practice their music, or learn to paint or...there's a joy in the testing, in seeing our skills improve...even in sitting an exam.
So maybe James here rather than setting some holy goal for us is really just reflecting the way God has made us. That in the testing of ourselves there is real joy, this is the place of growth and goodness, and it's something to embrace!
#james
#james1
#joy