James 1:1-3 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."   

James is writing this letter to the "dispersed" believers... those who fled from persecution.. those who are still facing difficulties.. those who may be encountering many kinds of trials..   He fills this letter with so much truth that we can see his heart for the Lord and for the Lord's people.  This first exhortation sets the tone.. there are trials that we all will encounter.. so how can we "consider it all joy"?

We need to understand that trials have a purpose... they test our faith.. and produce "endurance,  " James tells us. And we are to "let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be complete, lacking in nothing."  The NIV calls it perseverance.. the KJV calls it patience..  The Greek word indicates that it is all of these.. endurance, perseverance, and patience.. including the idea of "waiting"..   

James is telling his readers that we need this quality.. this attribute of perseverance and endurance... this ability to wait patiently... so that we can be made "complete".. "perfect".. fully mature.. mentally, morally, complete.  It is God's plan to get us there.. and He uses "various trials" to accomplish it. 

As I was thinking on this, II Thessalonians 3:5 came to mind.. " And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ."   The same steadfastness that James says the Lord wants to produce in our lives.. is what Christ displayed in His life here on earth.   Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.." so that we can "run with endurance."    He endured the cross.. that kind of patient waiting.. that kind of perseverance.. that kind of endurance.. is what God, our Father, wants to produce in us.. because He loves us and He wants to make us perfect like His Son. 

So, yes.. consider it all joy.. 

Father in heaven, this is our prayer.. that You would direct our hearts into Your love and into the patient, steadfast endurance of Jesus Christ our Savior.  We don't like trials much.. and it is hard to rejoice in them.. but we know that You are at work, conforming us into the beautiful image of Christ.  So, have Your way and help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Help us to let endurance have its "perfect result".  Let us say, as our Lord did.. not my will, but Yours be done... and then rest in the truth that You are faithful and You will complete the work in each of us that You have begun. We rejoice in Your promises and Your power to make us complete and perfect in Christ Jesus. Amen.