We all want what the Bible calls “joy.” We want that gladness that keeps going no matter what life throws our way. But in order to have joy in your life, it is important to get real about what it really means to trust God when life gets hard.
Let’s admit it. Even if we can manage to look great on social media, we all have difficult moments in real life. Whether it’s a problem at school or work, something tough happening at home, or just feeling sad or worried, it’s normal to go through hard times. But instead of teaching us how to look happy on the outside, the Bible actually teaches us how to face tough times and choose actual joy. And it doesn’t just say “Wait until heaven and then everything will turn out fine.” The Bible gives us guidance on navigating tough times today. There’s a passage from the book of James that can help us understand how God wants us to face these challenges. James 1:1-8 (NLT) says,
“This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the twelve tribes—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
In this passage, we find at least three ways that the troubles we face can make for opportunities for great joy.
First, troubles = joy because God is growing us.
Now, right away this passage starts with something that sounds ridiculous. James says that when we have problems, we should think of them as an opportunity for great joy. Who gets happy about having problems? But here’s what James is saying: when we go through hard times, it’s a chance for us to grow stronger in our faith, and that’s a reason for great joy.
Think about it like this: If you play a sport, like soccer or basketball, you get stronger by practicing. Along the way, you face challenges—like running faster or shooting better—and over time, you improve. Well, it’s the same with our faith. When we trust God through the hard stuff, we’re growing spiritually. God is helping us become stronger, wiser, and more patient.
Here’s another Bible verse that shows this truth. Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) says,
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”
So first, when you face tough situations, remember that God is using them to help you grow, just like training for a sport or practicing for a test. Knowing that God’s doing something good through the tough time is a reason for joy.
Second, troubles = joy because God is making us wiser.
The second part of James 1:1-8 tells us that if we need wisdom, we can ask God, and He will give it to us. Pause for a second. Isn’t that amazing? God doesn’t get annoyed when we ask Him for help. In fact, He loves when we come to Him with our questions and problems. He’s like a loving parent.
Let’s say you have a big decision to make, or you don’t know what to do about a problem. Instead of trying to figure it out all by yourself, James tells us to ask God. God is super generous with His wisdom, and He’ll guide you in the right direction, including when you’re going through tough times.
Similarly, Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
God wants to show us the best way to go, but we have to ask Him for help and trust Him to guide us. So, when you don’t know what to do, pray and ask God. You might say something simple like, “God, I need your help. Please give me wisdom to make the right choice.” And the best part is, God will give you the wisdom you need when you ask in faith.
“God wants to show us the best way to go, but we have to ask Him for help and trust Him to guide us.”
Third, troubles = joy because God is drawing us to Himself.
James goes on to warn us not to have “divided loyalty” when asking God for wisdom. What does that mean? Well, it means we shouldn’t try to trust God and follow the world’s way of thinking at the same time. If we try to do both, we’ll be confused, like a wave in the sea being tossed around by the wind.
Imagine you’re standing at a fork in the road. One path leads to God’s way—trusting Him, doing what’s right, and asking Him for help. The other path leads to the world’s way—trying to do things on your own, focusing on what other people think, or chasing after things that don’t really matter. You can’t walk down both paths at the same time. You have to choose which one to follow.
Matthew 6:24 (NLT) says,
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.”
We have to choose to follow God completely. If we want to experience the amazing things God has for us, we have to be all in for Him. He gets our undivided loyalty, such that when we come to a choice between His way and a different way, we’ve already pre-decided that we’ll follow His.
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.”
And here’s the thing. If we’re listening, our troubles can teach us that the world’s promises don’t deliver. Troubled times can help shake our faith off of things that we never should have been placing our faith in—such as our own health, our wealth, our popularity, or any other thing we can make into an idol. Suffering can be an opportunity to remember to place our loyalty in the One we can trust.
James says that people who waver—who trust God one moment and then doubt Him the next—are like waves tossed around by the wind. That’s no way to live. Instead, we need to trust God with our whole heart. This can be tough sometimes. Maybe you’ve prayed for something and didn’t see an answer right away, or maybe you’re not sure if God is really listening. But remember, God’s timing is perfect, and He always answers our prayers in the way that’s best for us—even if it doesn’t happen exactly how or when we want it.
Another verse that can encourage us is Hebrews 11:6 (NLT):
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
God rewards those who seek Him with all their heart. So, keep trusting, keep asking, and keep believing that God will come through.
“Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
As Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) says,
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Through the tough times, let God draw you to Himself and to His peace.
Choosing to Trust and Take Action
I want to encourage you to make a choice, and keep making it throughout your life. Whenever life gets hard, instead of giving into discouragement or worry, choose to trust God. Ask Him for wisdom, and then take action by living out what He shows you.
You don’t have to have all the answers right now. God will guide you one step at a time. Just like practicing a skill takes time, learning to trust God takes time, too. But the more you rely on Him, the more you’ll see how faithful He is.
So the next time you’re facing a tough time, remember James 1:1-8. Choose joy in the midst of your trials, ask God for help, and stay focused on Him. Through the tough time, remember that He’s growing you, making you wiser, and drawing you to Himself—and choose joy. You’ve got this because God’s got you!