“Nobody Told Me There’d Be Days Like These!

Every one of us is familiar with trials and hardships of one sort or another. The Apostle James has all of them in mind in James 1:2:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

Trials are the storms we go through in life. It’s often noted that every one of us has either gone through a storm, is presently in a storm, or getting ready to go through another storm.

Storms and trials are part of living in a sin-cursed and fallen world. Ever since our first parents (Adam and Eve) sinned in the third chapter of Genesis, we have experienced trials of one kind or another. We see evidence of the fall all around us. So, while we are often shocked and saddened by tragic events, at the same time, we are not surprised when they happen. We understand that this world is not as it was meant to be.

But trials hit home when we become personally involved in them. How encouraging that we have passages such as this to encourage us as we go through them. Let’s consider some practical truths that surface from these verses. First, note this:

Trials are Inevitable 

That may sound rather obvious and perhaps even unhelpful at first. But it is important to remember this fact so we do not immediately fall into doubt or despair when trials come our way.

Too often, when trials and hardships come, we immediately cry: “God, why are You doing this to me?” And the implication is: “Surely, I don’t deserve this misfortune!”

Rarely do we ever ask the same question when something favorable comes our way, or we receive some unforeseen good fortune: “God, why are You doing this to me? I don’t deserve this success—give it to someone else!”

The truth is, we sinful human beings deserve nothing. The very air we breathe at this moment is an undeserved gift that comes graciously from our Creator. He can withhold the air if He wishes. He is God, and we are not. But He is a good God who always does what is right. So we trust Him, believing that He knows what He is doing, and we take Him at His word when He teaches that trials and hardships actually serve not to harm us but to help us. 

More about that in a moment.  

For now, let us consider that trials can come to anyone. Being a Christian does not keep one from trials. If you are a human being, you will go through trials. James does not say, “Count it all joy if you fall into various trials,” but “when you fall into various trials.”

For example, Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation (John 16:33).” The Apostle Paul warned: “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).” And Peter wrote: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you (1 Peter 4:12).”

Trials are inevitable. And while the previous verses suggest more the idea of trials of persecution for one’s faith, James has in view trials of any kind. 

Trials can come to anyone. Being a Christian does not preclude one from facing danger, enduring suffering, or encountering hardships. If you are a human being, you will go through trials. And they may come suddenly and unexpectedly.

In fact, the word “fall” in verse 2 is the same word used in Luke 10, where Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus says, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves (Luke 10:30).” This man was minding his own business, and suddenly and unexpectedly, he encountered thieves.  

That is often how suddenly trials arrive. We’re minding our own business; the day starts uneventfully, and then we encounter a “variety” of trials, hardships, or difficulties.

Now James says that when this happens, we’re to “count it all joy (verse 2),” or “consider it joy.” What exactly does this mean?

It does not mean that we are to consider the trial itself to be joyous. James does not say that! He is not calling us to think, “Oh, trials, how wonderful! I love trials, and I am so joyful when they come!” That’s a silly notion at best and a psychological disorder at worst.

He doesn’t say, “Count the trials joy,” but rather, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” This may initially sound like a distinction without a difference, but it is very different. In verse 3, James continues: “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (or perseverance).”

Put another way: “Consider that you are undergoing trials—painful as they may be—as an opportunity to grow in faith and become strong, and, for that reason, you may have joy in the midst of your trials.”

More about that next time. For now, remember this:

You can’t really say, “Nobody told me there’d be days like these!”

The Bible tells you as much. And the “days like these” are days for your good and God’s glory.

Excerpt from You’re Either Walking The Walk Or Just Running Your Mouth (Preaching Truth: 2020), pages 1-4, available on Amazon.