Have you ever been in a season where everything seems wrong?
Where life feels paused, progress is delayed, and you wonder, “What did I do to deserve this?” We’ve all been there too.
In James 1:2–4:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Staying joyful during trials sounds unreasonable. Yet, that’s exactly what we’re encouraged to do. Joy Isn’t the absence of Trouble. This verse above isn’t about denying the pain. It’s about the perspective to it. Your pain is real, but your perspective can change everything.
Two people can face the same delay, disappointment, or struggle, and come out with completely different outcomes. The difference? Perspective.
Romans 8:28 says: “All things work together for good to those who love God…”
Having the right perspective will keep the vision alive and afresh and help you find joy in the journey
Don’t put your joy on hold. You must see God’s goodness in the midst of adversity
Now, how can we experience joy when our world is falling apart:
1. Prepare for life’s trial and challenges:
Trials are part of the plan. The book of James said “when” trials come, not “if”. They are part of life’s design.
Preparing for them isn’t negativity; it’s wisdom. Jesus said in John 16:33: “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Just like we save money for emergencies, we prepare spiritually for storms.
The storms don’t mean God has abandoned us; they often mean He’s up to something. Focus on the Gain, not just the pain.
Here’s a mindset shift that changed everything for me:
Trials aren’t just about what they take from us.
They’re about what they produce in us. James 1:3 says the testing of our faith produces patience. Not passivity. Not weariness, but spiritual endurance.
Like muscles built in the gym, your spiritual strength grows in adversity.
Apostle Paul, despite persecution, he kept his eyes on the crown. He recounted in 2nd Timothy “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith… There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.” (2 Tim 4:7–8).
We don’t always see the gain in the moment, but it’s there. New character. Deeper patience. Stronger faith. Greater compassion. The list goes on.
Even Jesus looked beyond the Cross. Hebrews 12:2 tells us Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. That joy wasn’t in the pain, it was in the purpose.
If Jesus found joy in His suffering by focusing on what it would accomplish, we can too.
2. Patience:
In the book of James 1:4, we are encouraged us to let patience have its perfect work. In a world of rush, patience is a necessity.
Romans 12:12 says: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, continue steadfastly in prayer.”
God isn’t on your clock. He works in perfect timing.
And if He’s making you wait, trust that He’s growing something in you during the delay.
Patience isn’t weakness, it’s strength, maturity, and deep-rooted faith.
3. Focus on the Gain:
There’s Always Something to Gain. No situation is completely bad. There’s always something to learn or grow from.
Sometimes it’s a new skill. Sometimes a new level of trust. Sometimes it’s simply the reminder that you can endure more than you thought.
Your trial isn’t meant to break you. It’s meant to build you.
It’s not meant to reduce you, but to refine you.
Joy Is found in the journey. Don’t wait until the struggle is over to be joyful. Don’t put your joy on hold. Joy isn’t a destination. It’s something you choose along the way.
It may feel dark now, but the light is coming. And one day, you’ll look back and realize that this trial didn’t destroy you, it shaped you.
So today, right now, no matter what you’re walking through…
Count it all joy.
Recite this confession:
“I have the spirit of God in me. I have the joy of the Lord in me. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I can pull through this. I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength. I’ve obtained victory through the death and resurrection of my Lord and savior Jesus. I’m bigger than (name the situation). My testimonies are here, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
