Joy in suffering?

James 1:2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

The author of this book is understood to be the half brother of Jesus named James. It is obvious from this verse that James is writing to a group of people who were suffering persecution because of their faith in Jesus. History tells us that the first Christians did not have a honeymoon when they chose to follow Christ. They were tortured torched, imprisoned.

I noticed that James did not begin with the niceties that we are accustomed to, e.g, “God knows your pain”, “God is in control”, “He will never leave you or forsake you” ect. But rather he commands the believers what their reaction should be to their circumstances. And he does that at the onset of his letter. He seems to sound like a crude taskmaster who does not care for the feelings of the people. Because the natural reaction of anyone going through trials and tribulations would be to worry, panic and question God. We don’t have to go far but if we would just look back into our lives and analyse how we reacted to these situations, we must confess that joy was not the firstborn. No wonder Martin Luther was so upset as to why this book was added to the cannon.

But if we were to take an objective look at these words, it really makes good sense. Let me explain why. But first let’s see the implications of this verse:

James is implying that suffering is part of Christian living. Trials and tribulations (as the KJV) puts it is part and parcel of everyone’s life and it should not take anyone by surprise. No one is exempted. And if you had not gone through one, be patient, it’s on the way. Because of this fallen world, and because people don't understand the saving grace of our Lord, the Christian is on an uneven ground as far as trials are concerned. For the people of those days, acknowledging Jesus as Lord means Caesar is not and that spelt capital punishment. Unlike today, where its fashionable to don a Christian name, in those days, the “Christians were in hiding”.

Second James is suggesting that joy should be the first reaction and not the last. Usually when everything is over, we say, “Thank God it is over”. But not Bro James! For him its, “Thank God it has begun”.  What an irony, what a paradox.

Third, the ramification of this statement is even if it spells death because of your faith, count it with joy. Unlike today and as alluded earlier, the early Christians were killed for their faith. The early Jewish Christians who had scattered out of Jerusalem away from the centre of persecution at that time. We can only imagine what their lives were like; loss of family, loss of jobs, loss of income, physical illness, physical persecution and all of that. It is difficult for us to relate to but that is whom he was writing to. He is explaining to them what it really means to follow Christ.

Why should we react with joy to trails? I think there are at least three reasons:

Because Jesus taught us to do so.  In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught His disciples to rejoice when persecuted.

• Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Even on the night of the betryal, Jesus reminded the disciples that they will face troubles in this world.

• John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him (Heb 12:2).

Because the apostles rejoiced when they went through trials.

• Acts 5:42 - The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Paul would say in Romans 5:3-5 to rejoice in suffering God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Because the fruit of the Spirit is joy.  Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, …If I am filled with the Holy Spirit, every born again Christian is, I should be filled with joy when I go through difficulties. Not because I am able to do so own my own, but because He is in me and when I give Him total control of my life, the fruit of the Spirit begins to manifest on the outside. The question then is: Does the Holy Spirit control my life? If he does that I am  joyful Christian, much more in trials. If not I need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. And it can only happen when I am continuously filled in the Holy Spirit, not just on the Sunday morning (Eph 5:18 – keep on being filled)

So James was right when he said, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”.