READ: James 1:2-3 NLT
'Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.'
This sounds ridiculous. Having problems, trials and difficulties doesn’t sound, on the face of it, like the best way to create joy. So what is James talking about? What he’s doing is taking his readers to the heart of the Christian faith which turns everything upside down. 
James is not saying that when we face difficulties it’s a bundle of fun. He is speaking to people who knew what it was to suffer for their faith, and he wants them to know that, when we place our difficulties in God’s hands, he produces something incredibly exciting. Something which lasts. Something which takes us closer to the heart of God, and that always produces joy.
Like many of you I’ve had a bad back for many years. At times I’ve had to live with pain night and day and that’s not great. It’s certainly not fun. But I thank God for the way in which he has used it to lead me closer to him. It has unquestionably helped me to learn what it is to persevere, and it has given me a close connection with other people who have bad backs, and there are plenty of us about!
I’m not suggesting that you should now go out and tell your friends who are suffering at the moment that they need to burst into joyful song and perform cartwheels in celebration. But you can encourage them because God is at work and, as they share their tough times with God, he will bless them and strengthen them and give them that perseverance which we all need in order to live effective and fruitful lives.
In order for any relationship to succeed we all need perseverance and that will only come as we keep going with God’s help through the difficult times. It’s a tough message but it’s God’s way of bringing lasting joy into our lives.
QUESTION: In what ways have you personally experienced joy in times of difficulty, and how could you pass on that encouragement to other people?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for the good news that you are with me in every difficulty that I face. Thank you for your gift of joy even in the toughest times. Amen. 

Released on 30 Oct 2020