Joyful Over Your Troubles?! That’s crazy!

12th Sunday after Pentecost, 8/23/20
James 1:2-8, 12


Joyful Over Your Troubles?! That’s crazy!
I. Not when you realize they’re good for your faith
II. Not when you realize the crown of life awaits you


While the pandemic is on the minds of everyone, according to Dr. James O’Dea of Hartford HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Network, there’s an underlying crisis occurring in our nation and our world as well. He states, “The spread of COVID-19 leaves people feeling out of control, which is uncomfortable and unnerving.” And it’s taking its toll on our mental health.

According to a recent survey, 24% of 42,000 respondents reported significant symptoms of major depressive disorder, and 30% reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. And it’s hitting younger people harder than older ones.

I’ve noticed it in myself. There are days when it’s harder for me to get going. Have you noticed the same thing? I’m so ready for this to be over and gone, but that’s not going to happen. And now we’re entering the flu season. Can it get any worse?

But even if you’ve escaped the general malaise thus far, did you do a double-take when you heard and read the opening words of this morning’s sermon text from James 1? James doesn’t put his arm around us and tell us, “I know what you’re going through. I’m sorry. It’s really tough.” No! Instead he tells us something we never expected. Something almost unbelievable. Listen to his words to us again, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Literally, the Greek states “all joy.” Another translation reads “complete joy.” But I don’t suppose any of those translation differences matter to you. How can we be joyful—completely joyful—when we are experiencing trials or troubles in our lives? That’s crazy, isn’t it?

Maybe it seems that way to you right now, but let’s hear James out. Let’s give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to use these words to comfort and strengthen us as we face daily troubles in our lives.

Part I.

One of my favorite NFL quarterbacks once said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I’m sure that statement didn’t originate with him and I imagine you’ve heard it before. Perhaps you’ve even said it yourself. You’ve spent a considerable amount of time going through a very difficult situation in your life and, once it’s over, you realize that you’re better for it. You developed in a positive way that you wouldn’t have imagined. I’ve even read accounts from cancer patients who’ve stated that very thing.

But are you still having trouble buying into what James states—that going through the troubles of life is pure joy? Probably so. So, let’s walk through his line of reasoning as he lays it out for us. Listen to what he writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

First, he tells us what many of us know—that the troubles we face in life are tests for our faith. Why do bad things happen to Christians? First, know for certain that God is not the author of evil. He didn’t cause the trouble to come upon you, as if he’s punishing you for something. But he allowed it to happen in order to test your faith. Think of it as a spiritual exercise, much the way you do physical exercise. You test your muscles to make them stronger. God tests our faith to make it stronger. If we never went through tests, our faith would eventually become weaker and weaker.

Next, James calls for us to persevere. When troubles arise in your life, don’t give up. Don’t curl up on your bed in an act of surrender. You’re not helpless and alone in this situation, as difficult as it may be. Your God is right there with you through it all. So push on! Go to the promises of your God in his word and hold onto them with all your might. Persevere!

In his line of reasoning regarding our reaction to the troubles in our lives, James saves the best for last. He tells us that our perseverance will result in becoming mature and complete, lacking nothing. Just what is he talking about? Well, he’s not talking about your personality development or your emotional or psychological health. He’s talking about your Christian faith. In this section James uses a Greek word that means “to reach a goal.” In that sense it’s finished or complete. To state it negatively, we go through enough tests of our faith so that there are no weak spots in it. When the next trouble arises, we go right to the promises of our God and our faith stands firm. It’s complete.

But perhaps you’re saying to yourself, “I’m not there yet, pastor! Not even close. What should I do?” James answers your question. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.” Pray for wisdom from God. Not wisdom in general. But wisdom to help you deal with your troubles. How should you respond to them? What should you think and feel about them? Pray for wisdom from God. He promises to give it to you.

In fact, don’t hesitate to ask him. You know the situation in which the student is afraid to raise his hand and ask his teacher a question because she might think he’s a fool. Don’t think like that when it comes to asking your God for wisdom. James tells you that God won’t find fault with you for asking for wisdom on how to deal with your troubles. He’ll give you that wisdom.

So, don’t doubt! Remember…that’s the reason the Lord allowed troubles to come your way in the first place—to strengthen your faith. Having faith in the Lord—trusting him—is the opposite of doubting him.

So, let’s go back to where we started. Joyful over your troubles?! That’s crazy! Not when you realize they’re good for your faith.

We wouldn’t argue with the Bible’s truth that testing strengthens and refines our faith. We’ve seen it happen in our own lives at times. But we would like to have a frank and honest discussion with our God about how often he allows that testing to occur. It’s daily, isn’t it? And some days are simply unbearable. And that’s when we begin to doubt. Doubt about God’s love for us. Doubt that he knows what he’s doing. Doubt that he will remain faithful to his promise to make this work out for our good. So, then what should we do?

Consider the greatest trial, the greatest trouble, history’s darkest hour when the Son of God met Satan head on at a place called Calvary. He was there on the cross because he never doubted his Father. He was there on the cross for every time we’ve not only doubted our God but accused him of mistreating us. He was there for every time the bottom has dropped out of our faith. He was there to win our forgiveness and assure us of his love in every trouble we face. He’s testing our faith because he loves us and wants us to trust him every day of our trouble-filled lives.

Part II.

When you participate in a contest, what’s the goal? It’s to win the prize. There’s a problem if you’re playing not to win.

What’s the goal of your life? In the context of these words of James, might it be to avoid as much trouble and suffering as you can? Let me be clear, there’s nothing in the Bible that states we should go out of our way to suffer trouble. In fact, some might call that testing the Lord instead of the Lord testing you. I try to avoid trouble and suffering as much as I can. I think you’d agree with me that we already have enough of them.

But there’s a flip side to that effort to avoid trouble and suffering as much as possible, and that’s to make it your goal to enjoy as much pleasure as you can. Rest assured, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying life on this earth. That’s a blessing from God. But when you make that your life’s goal, you easily fall into materialism. You easily fall into the sin of worshipping what life has to offer rather than your Creator and Savior.

Listen to the life-goal that James sets before us, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” On your list of goals, where does the crown of life come in? How high is getting to heaven on your list? James wants you to know that there’s nothing more important. He’s calling on you to make the crown of life your goal in life. And he connects that with the troubles you’re facing right now. God is using those troubles to test and strengthen your faith. God’s deepest desire is that your faith is strong enough to last your entire life, so that when you leave this world, you receive the crown of life with him. Do you see the connection between your troubles now and the crown of life in heaven?

Joyful over your troubles?! That’s crazy! Not when you realize the crown of life awaits you.

As you ponder all the troubles in your life and in our world, do you ever long to leave them all behind and be in heaven with your Savior? Bingo! Jesus is shouting, “Amen!” That’s what your troubles are all about—persevering in the faith in order to receive the crown of life.

So, when the next trouble strikes your life, consider the crown of life that awaits you. That might not put a smile on your face, but it will put a measure of heavenly joy in your heart. And then you’ll be doing what James encourages you to do—to consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. That’s not crazy. That’s what your faith in Jesus does for you. Amen.