Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  James 1:2-3

I’m glad James used the plural version.  Illness isn’t just one trial; it’s a complex series of trials.  The base line is the illness itself, the side effects of the required medications or the residual symptoms created by a treatment.  Another layer is the endless stream of necessary procedures, or the “random” infection the pops up at a most inconvenient time.  Let’s not forget equipment errors, like dislodging your PICC line an hour before you’re supposed to renew your wedding vows because you were in hurry when you flushed the line.  The social layer is no small thing.  People often don’t understand why you have to cancel plans; why you’re so quiet when you’re just trying to keep it together; or the avoidance techniques you have to develop to sidestep that well intentioned bear hug aimed at the new scar or implant.  And then there are the related social pressures of the well-meaning but misguided to have a better attitude, more faith or resolve that unconfessed sin.  Even the general population weighs in like the TSA agent that gets irritated that you refuse to put your TPN bag on the conveyer despite showing them the IV going into your arm or the person who questions the validity of you using a handicapped space because you don’t have a wheelchair.  Finally, there’s what goes on in your mind in the middle of the night or when your situations seems unbearable: complete terror, doubting God’s goodness and your faith, questioning you’re ability to endure, or worrying about the impact on those you love.  I could go on, but I’ll stop there.  Besides, you have your own set of trials and understand the problem all too vividly.  So yes, James is correct to say trials; but why are we to be joyful?

First consider what he’s not saying.  It’s commonly accepted that joy and happiness are interchangeable. Both the dictionary that I checked and my writing software consider them to be synonymous.   However, biblically they are not and surprising to me, “Psychology Today” agrees.  An article posted by Sandra Brown MA, explains that “happiness is external. It’s based on situations, events, people, places, things, and thoughts.”  In other words, it is dependent on things beyond us. By contrast, joy as described by GotQuestions.org “is true contentment that comes from internal factors like our faith in the Lord. True joy is everlasting and not dependent upon circumstances.”  Therefore joy is not stoicism, sadism, or worse, an insincere attitude for show, but rather a foundation that provides a sense of peace in the midst of trouble.  That said, lest look why we should be joyful in our affliction.

The first reason is, as James states, for the benefit we receive.  Here we’re told our trials produce endurance.  Certainly, building up endurance is no easy task.  We understand that from an athletic point of view, but we seem to forget that fact when it comes to our souls.  So what’s the prize if we develop spiritual strength?   In verse four, we learn that endurance makes us perfect and complete.  If we also consider Romans 5:4-5 we learn that endurance also leads to “proven character and hope”.  Not a fleeting hope, but “hope (that) does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Through our endurance we are perfected and given a gift that will never disappoint us.

Clearly, this is an indication that God is at work refining and perfecting us.  As Paul wrote:   “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12).  One day, we will be perfected for eternity, but for now as our bodies struggle, our souls are being worked on.  God is making us into a thing of beauty.  In the book “When God Weeps” Joni Eareckson Tada compares God’s work on us to a stone sculptor.  I like that imagery.  Chisels, hammers, grinders and drills are aggressive tools…even the most delicate varieties.  They knock off all of the debris until the final beauty is revealed.  Sometimes it’s a little piece; at other times it’s a huge hunk.  Sometimes it’s born out of minor inconvenience and other times it can be quite trying.  Either way we forget the debris on the floor and marvel at the end result which is worth the price.

Now consider that if God is at work, He is also present.  Consequently, He is faithful to His promise: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).  We may feel very alone, especially in the middle of the night or an extreme emergency, but we are not.  Not only is God present, but He is also sustaining and strengthening us.

Often when we’re struggling, we feel that God doesn’t love us or does not care about our well-being.  However the truth is quite the opposite.  In the letter to the Hebrews we’re told: “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines” (Hebrews 12:5-6).  Further this is a quote from Proverbs 3:11-12.  Consequently, we understand that God allows us to suffer because He loves us immensely.  We all understand that the pain a child experiences while learning to walk is part of their natural development.  Preventing it, would stunt their growth.  Yet we forget that when it comes to our souls.  We must constantly remind ourselves of the eternal prize at the end of the race.

As an aside, I would like to add that I am sensitive to the negative opinions that may exist regarding our illness; specifically that our circumstances are due to unconfessed sin or lack of faith.  Discipline in this passage is educational discipline rather than punitive discipline.  Consequently, I am in no way suggesting that our trials are to punish us.

Therefore let us endure our trials and suffering with grace and the confidence knowing that God is perfecting us, that He is in fact very near to us and that it is an act of love which will one day result in glorious new bodies clothed in Christ’s righteousness.