Pure Joy

Fill in the blank:

"Consider it PURE JOY whenever you ___________________."

This is one of those bizarre paradoxes that the Bible throws at us. It's the kind where it sounds fine just reading it, but then one day it stands out to you that this makes no sense at all. James 1:2 says to consider it pure JOY, the kind of thing we get excited about and that makes it easy to do whatever it is you have to do because you’re so soul-delighted that laughter giggles up from the bottom of your belly whenever ...

... you face trials? Of many kinds?

Left by itself, it makes no sense. It's kind of macho-tough, laughing in the face of difficulty for no particular stated reason at all. Just be happy, keh? You're a Christian and Christians are happy, so be happy, keh?

Isn't God good to give us reasons, facts, indicatives upon which to base His instructions, commands, imperatives? Even in nature, He gives us illustrations. You don't tell a woman in labor to just enjoy herself in her pain, but you remind her that soon she's going to have a baby in her arms. You don't tell a person gasping halfway up a mountain to just relax and enjoy themselves—you remind them that if they keep going, they're going to reach a spectacular summit.

Similarly through James, God says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because 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."

And then, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Pure joy. May He give us that joy today and in the rest of our lives until the day when He gives us the crown of life.