In James 1:2-22 there are seven things we need to consider when we find ourselves in the midst of trials. If we carefully consider these seven principles when we go through times of testing and hardship we will develop a special delight and intimacy with God that will deepen our relationship with Him for all eternity. THE FIRST POINT: COUNT IT ALL JOY James 1:2-4 (NKJV) 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. The Greek word translated here as “count it” means “to consider, deem, account, to think.” It denotes a belief resting not on one’s inner feelings or sentiment, but on the due consideration of external grounds and the weighing and comparing of facts. It denotes a deliberate and careful judgment. This word suggests we’re not relying on our feelings but on carefully developed convictions Many people react impulsively to the circumstances that confront them without considering the big picture and the ultimate consequences or outcome of their decisions. When one’s reaction is easily influenced and swayed by whatever circumstances they may face or whatever feelings may rise up within them they end up making rash decisions and blurt out things that later they wish they had never spoken. James began his epistle with the exhortation, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. To consider it all joy requires us to carefully consider all the facts and prepare our minds and hearts to embrace the truth. This is more than just an act of praising the Lord in a moment of trial even though that is part of it. It is a deliberate consideration of the facts and truths of who God is and the reality of His faithfulness. These unchangeable truths provide the bedrock for us to be able to “consider it all joy” no matter what trials we face or what hardships we endure. To consider it all joy we must develop the right perspective and replace any false beliefs and concepts that we have unknowingly accepted Abraham is a wonderful example of one who learned to become a man of faith with unwavering confidence in God. However, at the beginning of his faith journey he struggled with both fears and doubts that sometimes led him to make rash decisions and compromise the truth. However, in the end, Abraham became the quintessential example of a man of faith. Romans 4:17-22 NKJV 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness. How was Abraham transformed from a fearful, double-minded man to one with unshakeable faith? He simply believed and walked with God every day. The way we develop this bedrock of unshakeable faith is by getting to know God through daily meditating upon His Word, spending time in prayer, and encouraging one another in Christian fellowship. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” The Greek word “fall into” denotes not simply facing a trial but actually being totally encompassed and immersed by the trial even as one may fall into a pit. The Greek word “various” means “multi-coloured” meaning that the types of trials and hardships we encounter in life can take on innum...
