James 1:2, New International Version

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

James opens his letter in a way that catches us off guard: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Joy in trials? That doesn’t seem natural—because it’s not. It’s spiritual. James isn’t saying we should enjoy suffering, but that we should see trials through the lens of what God is doing in us. Trials test our faith, and that testing, when met with trust in God, leads to perseverance. And perseverance, when it has finished its work, makes us mature and complete. In other words, God uses hardship to grow us up in Him.

The key is not just enduring trials but enduring them with the right perspective. When we ask God for wisdom—especially in the midst of difficulty—He gives generously without finding fault (v. 5). He wants us to come to Him, not with double minds or divided hearts, but with faith that He is good and that His plans for us are trustworthy. Trials aren’t a sign that God is absent—they’re often the very places where we experience His presence most deeply.

James also reminds us that trials don’t discriminate. The rich and the poor will both face them, though their tests may look different. The rich may be tempted to find security in their wealth, while the poor may struggle with discouragement. But both are called to boast not in what they have or lack, but in their position in Christ. That’s where real identity and lasting hope are found. God’s work in us through trials is not about changing our circumstances first—it’s about changing us.

Then James shifts to a critical truth: God does not tempt us. While He may allow trials to test and refine us, He is never the source of temptation. That comes from our own desires, which can drag us away and give birth to sin. And sin, when it’s full grown, leads to death. But God? He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. There’s no shadow in Him—no shifting, no deceit. He’s always faithful, always good, always working for our transformation.

James 1:1–18 reminds us that trials are not pointless. They are tools in God’s hands, used to shape our faith and deepen our dependence on Him. Instead of resenting the process, we are invited to trust the One who is leading it. In the midst of pressure, pain, and uncertainty, we can hold fast to the promise that God is not only with us—He is at work in us, giving us everything we need to stand firm and grow strong.

(All scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version)