Joy in Trials: Trusting God's Refining Work | Short Sermon Series

Isn’t it strange that James would tell us to “count it all joy” when we face trials?

If you take a moment to think about all the trials that have brought you deep grief in your life, it might be hard to want to feel joyful about these things.

But James isn’t telling us to delight in the specific sufferings that we go through - the brokenness that sin has brought about in the form of illnesses, strained relationships and a chaotic world is nothing to rejoice over.

What we are to rejoice over, however, is the fact that under the watchful eye of our Father, no trial or suffering is ever wasted. He is in a constant process of redeeming, renewing and restoring this broken world.

And beyond knowing that God is weaving together all these broken pieces into a bigger picture that we have yet to see, we can rejoice in our trials for they are also how our faith is refined.

With every “Why, God?” and with every desperate prayer, our faith gets stronger as we wrestle with the difficult questions of life.

In our perseverance, we may come to realise and accept that while God may not give us any specific answers to our questions, He will give us Himself. And in time, we will find that the person and presence of God Himself is more than enough.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

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