"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2).
Nobody likes trials. Not one person that I know enjoys going through a difficult time. Rather than enjoying them, we avoid them! And yet, the Bible says, "consider it all joy". The idea is to quite literally enjoy our trials with expressions of joy--laughter, smiles, giggles, etc. This can only honestly happen if we understand what God is doing through our trials (see verses 3-4). We will get to that in the next few days but for now let's just accept the fact that we will have trials and that God says that we should joyfully appreciate them.
Let me unpack two words for you that are in today's verse: "encounter" and "various".
"Encounter" is the Greek word "peripipto" and literally means, "to fall into". In Luke 10:30, Jesus says that a man "fell among" (peripipto) thieves. He was attacked and robbed. Understand that trials come and attack you and if you let them, then they will rob you of your joy. That is the experience that most of us have. God says, however, that it doesn't have to be that way--a proper God-perspective of trials can produce joy!
"Various" is the Greek word "poikilos" and it means "many-colored". In addition to describing trials, the Bible uses poikilos in four other ways: 1--"poikilos" diseases, 2--"poikilos" lusts, 3--"poikilos" miracles, and 4--"poikilos" grace. I find that really interesting. Perhaps we need "many-colored" miracles for our "many-colored" diseases? And "many-colored" grace for "many-colored" lusts?
Today, when you are attacked by your multiple trials, invite the Holy Spirit to give you a proper God-perspective of them. Allow the Father to enroll you in the School of Joy!
