1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ - to the twelve tribes who are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 Consider it complete joy, my brothers, whenever you fall into various kinds of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces patient endurance. 4 And let patient endurance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5 If any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives it to all without reservation and without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6-8 But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  In fact, that person should not expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.  He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:1-8 Evangelical Heritage Version (English Standard Version link)

What do you think of the advice James gives to Christians in vs 2? Is it really possible to be truly joyful when we are going through hard times?

The question is an even bigger one if we think of the sort of hard times he was speaking about. He's not talking about just having a tough day at work, or your parents or children giving you some headaches. The people he was writing to were probably mostly Jews who’d become followers of Jesus Christ. Even today, if that happens, it can lead to being disowned by your family, losing your job and being despised in the community. In those days it could lead to losing your home and the risk of being stoned to death! So what reason did James give why, even under such terrible trials, Christians could rejoice rather than be driven to despair? (vs 3)

Many of the hard times that come upon Christians are because they are Christians. So not only is any opposition that comes an evidence of their faith being genuine - but the hard times are an opportunity for their faith to grow stronger through enduring the trials. Think of how much agony athletes go through when they train in order to reach the top. Christians can rejoice in trials because they know they are being made stronger, and the prize of being with Christ is awaiting them. James may've had the words of Jesus in mind because Jesus had said: “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12) So the happy end result of endurance, say James, is faith that is mature and perfected. (vs 4)

But what if we're still struggling because of hard times and just don't know what to do? (vs 5)

James reminds Christians that they have a God who generously gives to all who believe in the goodness of His character, and who ask Him for wisdom to cope with whatever life brings. How lovely is that phrase 'without finding fault'. God's forgiveness of our sins is so great that He doesn't drag them up when we come to Him with our needs. So the biggest barrier to not getting the wisdom (or other needful things) we've asked for is not God – but what is it? (vs 6-8)

It's our own doubts about God's willingness and ability to help. If we lose sight of all that Jesus showed his disciples what God is like, then we will think God is like us – someone who holds grudges, or doesn't care much about the needs of others. Once again, James may have been thinking of what we read in the gospels of the many time Jesus had to rebuke the disciples for their small faith. When we go through hard times it doesn't mean that God does not know or does not care - He knows full well, and He cares deeply. So we should come confidently to Him to ask for wisdom and strength to get through whatever we are facing – and trust Him enough to even rejoice that He is maturing us. The opposite is to be double minded and unstable. To go through life hesitating whether we want to follow Jesus come what may, or go back to the world because of trials we are going through. May God help us to persevere joyfully, and to pray confidently.