Joyful and Happy? Seriously?

My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything. 

James 1:2-4 (God's Word Translation) 

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)

What? Really?  Seriously?  God, you except me to have joy and be happy when I'm in a trial and hurting?  Surely that can't be right!  But God says, "Yes."  And He knows just what we need!

Not one of us enjoys going through pain, trouble, and trials.  It's not fun. It's not easy.  It's not enjoyable at all.  So does God want us to be joyful and happy at these times?  The simple answer is that He knows it will help us. The difficult part is us really doing it.

Going through bad times tests our faith. Instead of relying on ourselves as we sometimes try to do, God allows problems in our lives so that we will grow in our faith and lean on Him even more.  He also knows that in doing so, we are shining our light for Jesus even more.  When we are willing to lean on Him, be joyful and happy, and let our lights shine, we are showing a lost world His Son. Jesus is who we strive to imitate and no one showed faith under trials and pain more than He did during His ministry and through His death.  He remained faithful....unto death.

Is it hard? You bet!  But Our Heavenly Father is right there with us....comforting us....strengthening us.....telling us that we can do it and that He is with us all the way.

The trials in life will come and go, but in the end, when we remain faithful, we will persevere. We will become mature and complete.  Satan will be defeated!  We won't lack anything.  Anything.

If you are going through a trial right now, rest assured that God loves you, and He is with you.  He is faithful to His promises, so put your faith in Him.  His love will never fail you.