“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (Jas. 1:2 KJV).
The first time I read, “Brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations,” my head had a difficult time accepting it. Temptations, which literally mean “tests and trials,” meant bad situations to me.
It was difficult for me to understand how you could count a temptation, test, or trial as a joyful thing. The first thing that came to my mind was problems—pain, anguish, discouragement. They did not mean joy.
Look at what James is saying when he tells us to count it all joy. He says, “My brethren…” Any time you see it say “my brethren,” the writer is talking to born again, Spirit-filled believers. He said, “…count it all joy….”
Another word you can use for joy is delight. The word divers means “different,” and temptations means “temptations, tests, or trials,” So, he said, “My brethren, count it all delight when you fall into different temptations, tests, or trials.”
Still, my head just couldn’t figure that out. I started meditating on the Scriptures, and I said, “Lord, I know what You said in Your Word; so even though I may not understand it, I will count my temptations, tests and trials a delight. I trust you to reveal to me how I can have joy in the midst of trials.
Now, anyone can count something joyful when things are going his way. But when things go contrary to your plans, it is difficult to express joy.
Joy is a fruit of the reborn, recreated human spirit. When you were born again, the force of joy was placed inside of you. The biblical joy we are talking about is not based on circumstances. We’re talking about the joy of God.
Joy is resident in you. I like to call it a force because it can develop and become a force in your life. The force of joy was placed in you the moment you were born again. So whether you feel like it or not, you have joy in you.
You have to activate it by an act of your will. In your darkest hour, you can begin to praise God. It may be dry as a bone at first. But as you continue to give God praise in advance for delivering you out of this trial, the force of joy will rise up in you and turn that situation around for your good.
Scripture References: Acts 16:25-26; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).