James 1:2-3

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance




James doesn't say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes that we will have trials and that it is possib;e to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face face pain, but to have a positive outlook ("consider it pure joy") because of what trials can produce in our lives. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance.




Joe