Don't Worry Be Happy
James 1:2
James 1:2 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
When trials come we have to be prepared by accepting:
- Trials are a part of life.
- God has a purpose in allowing trials.
1. Trials come to test our heart
2 Chronicles 32:31 (NIV)
But when the envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.
2. Trials come to help us stay humble
2 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
3. Trials make us yearn for heaven
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
4. Trials give us compassion for other people
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
5. Trials mature our faith
James 1:3-4 (NIV)
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.
James 1:2 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
So what does it mean?
- It doesn’t mean we have to enjoy our trials.
- And it doesn’t mean we have to have joyful emotions during severe trials.
- Nor does it mean we say, “Hooray, I just got fired!”
James 1:2 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy,
James 1:2 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
