“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.” James 1:2-4 (TPT)

Life is full of challenges. At times, it feels as though trials and difficulties come in waves, threatening to overwhelm us. In these moments, our natural reaction is often to feel discouraged or defeated. 

Though the year may not have been as great as you thought it would be for you, count it all Joy. You went for interviews, you gave it your all, backed it up with prayers, yet you did not get the job, count it all Joy. You may have lost relationships you held dear which made you very sad and heartbroken, count it all Joy.

Perhaps, it was someone very close and dear to you that passed on to glory, count it all Joy. I have come to encourage you to adopt a radically different perspective through it every challenges: to count it all joy.

What does it mean to count it all joy? It does not mean pretending hardships are not painful or denying the reality of your struggles. Instead, it means recognizing that trials serve a greater purpose in our lives. James reminds us that when our faith is tested, it stirs up endurance within us.

Endurance is not simply the ability to “get through” tough situations; it’s the steadfastness that grows our character and faith. As we remain faithful and trust God through our trials, He works to perfect us, shaping us into who He created us to be. The ultimate promise of this process is that we will be made complete—lacking nothing.

Joy, then, is not rooted in our circumstances but in the assurance of God’s purposes. When we see our trials through the lens of God’s eternal work, we can rejoice, knowing that He is using every difficulty to refine, strengthen, and bless us.

This week, when faced with a challenge, pause and reflect on how God might be using it to grow your faith and endurance. Write down one way you can respond with joy and trust instead of fear or frustration.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the trials that shape my faith and strengthen my endurance. Help me to see difficulties not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth. Give me the grace to trust in Your perfect plan and to rejoice in the work You are doing in my life. Teach me to rely on You in every season so that I may be made complete, lacking nothing. In Jesus’ name, Amen