Faith for Everyday

Pain as a teacher, joy as a choice

Edwine Mbuzaa
SPEAKER_00:

Rejoicing in trials. James chapter 1 verse 2 to 3. My brethren, count you know joy when you fall into diverse temptation, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Hello and welcome to day 246 of Faith for Everyday. Let us talk about something that does not feel natural, does not always sound encouraging, but it absolutely necessary. Joy in trials. James, the half-brother of Jesus, opens his letter with a shocking statement. Counted all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations. That phrase, diverse temptations, means various kinds of trials, tests, and troubles. And James is saying we should face them with joy. That does not mean we are to enjoy pain or pretend like nothing bothers us. God is not calling us to fake happiness. He is calling us to have a deeper joy that is rooted in faith, not feelings. You see, trials are not random. They are not without purpose. James continues, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. In other words, when your faith is tested, something strong is being built in you. Patience here is not just waiting, it is endurance, it is spiritual stamina. It is a kind of strength that holds on even when life tries to push you down. Think of an athlete in training. Every workout breaks the muscles just a little. But in the healing, the muscles grow stronger. In the same way, God uses pressure to produce perseverance. He allows trials not to break you but to build you. Every hardship is stretching your faith, refining your heart, and anchoring your soul deeper in Him. And here's the twist. Joy does not come after the trials. It starts in the trial. Because joy is not based in what you see, it is based in who you know. You know God is faithful. You know He is with you. You know He is working all things together for good, even when those things do not look like it yet. The enemy wants you to see trials as punishment, but God uses them for preparation. When you rejoice in trials, you are telling the enemy, you will not steal my faith. You are saying, This is tough, but I trust God more than I trust my feelings. Whether it is trouble at home, pressure at school, battles in your mind, or disappointment in your life, if you are in a trial today, take heart. The fire you are in is not meant to consume you, it is meant to refine you. Today, choose joy, not because everything is perfect, but because your God is perfect in all his ways. Joy is not pretending life is easy, joy is standing firm and saying, Even in this I trust him. Trials may shape you, but they do not define you. Let your faith speak louder than your fear. Thank you very much for joining me for day 246 of faith for every day. Let patience have her perfect work in you. Hold on, press forward, and know that God is working something in you even before He changes what is around you. Thank you very much for listening. See you again tomorrow.