For a long time, I could not read James 1:2 without feeling worse about myself. 'Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials.' If you have ever been handed that verse in the middle of something genuinely hard and felt like you were failing it, this episode is for you.

Today we are sitting with what James is actually saying — and what he is not saying. We are going to the garden with Jesus, who asked to be spared three times and still walked toward the cross. And we are going to talk about what it means to hold real anguish and settled trust at the same time. Not as a performance. As a formation.

You are right to ask God why. You are right to ask Him to take it away. And you can keep walking in faith at the same time. Holding that tension is not weakness. It is exactly what maturity looks like.

Scripture References

James 1:2-4 — Count it all joy

James 1:5 — Ask God for wisdom

James 1:17 — Every good and perfect gift

Matthew 26:39 — Jesus in Gethsemane

Matthew 27:46 — My God, My God

Hebrews 12:2 — For the joy set before Him

Psalm 22:1 — Why have You forsaken Me

Romans 2:4 — His kindness leads to repentance

Connect with Paris

Website: betweengriefandglory.com

Instagram: @betweengriefandglory

Podcast: Lament & Light on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Coming June 16

A Summer of Sorrows — 12 episodes on lament, the suffering saints, and the beauty hidden in sorrow. Subscribe now so you do not miss a single episode.