‘Joyous’ Occasions | James 1:2-3

By Jeff Dawsey

Let’s be honest. We Christians and Bible readers appreciate some passages a lot more than others. One of those “others” is James 1:2, which says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds (NIV).” We will look at the rest of the passage later.

For those of us who believe the Bible to be 100% true, we, inwardly, struggle with this verse. How do we consider it joy–even pure–when all hell breaks loose against us? Do we sincerely take joy in the midst of the worst circumstances? Unfortunately, for most of my Christian life, I haven’t, and I’m willing to bet that most of you haven’t either. But, after God humbled me the most, I’ve learned and have accepted the truth of James’ words, and I hope to show you how to do the same.

In 2021, I experienced maybe the most difficult year of my life, and I did not walk in much joy. Instead, I suffered the worst anxiety and depression of my life! So much so that I told God how I wished either I didn’t wake up or that a car would crash into mine and kill me.

Although this list doesn’t include all that led to my mental breakdown, here are several reasons:

●      My personal ministry philosophy greatly differed from my church’s philosophy. I knew this, but I foolishly assumed I would experience so much success that the leaders would bend to my philosophy.

●     Due to my lack of preparation and organization, I lost several key volunteers to other churches, campuses and ministries.

●     My immediate supervisor rightfully expressed his concerns about my leadership over my ministries, due to my lack of preparation and attention to detail.

●     One of the ministries I led lost more people than when it first began, because I didn’t lead it well.

●     During that season of Covid, I didn’t know how to attract more people. I had always thrived in creating relationships, but, with so many restrictions within the church’s community and Savannah, I didn’t get to create those relationships.

●     I believed I crashed my testimony as a faithful man of God and pastor because of all of my failures at the same time.

●     I also learned in that season where I had previously failed in places where I thought I once succeeded.

●      My wife and I tried In Vitro Fertilization during this time, and it failed. So, not only did we fail to get a kid, but we also lost several thousand dollars. So, I had to try and comfort my sad wife, as I struggled in my life and ministries.

●      God showed me that I had the worst pride ever. I thought I was better than everyone else. 

As I realized and struggled through these things, I felt like a spiritual failure. There was one day where I cried from the depths of my soul. I felt helpless and hopeless, and I struggled to see how my life and my ministries were going to turn around.

For you who are reading this, what would be on your list? Have you overcome some of the trials? Still going through some? What have you learned about yourself? For me, I learned that I was living out some lies. But, while in the midst of my many trials, God sent a friend. And, if you’re in the middle of a rough patch, I hope I can be a friend to you.

After meeting with a pastor at my church, I prayed and confessed all the hidden secrets in my heart, including the pride I thought I hid well from God. I completely cleaned out my heart for the very first time in my life, revealing everything to God. And honestly, I thought God was going to strike me dead for the wicked thoughts I gave to Him or either disown me. But, He didn’t do either. He loved me through everything, and gave me peace I had never felt before. 

Because of how God dealt with me when I felt at my worst, I prayed to Him: “God, if You loved me through the worst things, then I will never keep anything else from You.”

And that’s how I’ve lived since 2021-2022. I have told God about the worst things I’ve thought, the worst things I’ve done, and the worst things I’ve said. And He has loved me and grown me through them. God has given me greater purpose and passion, and I’ve never felt closer to Him. I haven’t struggled with anxiety since 2022, which I didn’t think was possible to avoid. And, if you begin to open up your heart and invite Him into the hidden places, share the darkest secrets there, and ask Him to help you, He will do the same thing He’s done for me. He has promised this, according to Philippians 4:6-7.

When I now go through trials, I know God’s got me. I know God won’t allow me to be put to shame, if I trust in Him. I know that God uses trials to reveal His power and glory. So, I’ve learned that trials give us opportunities to see God’s best work. 

In conclusion, world renown former US Navy SEAL Jocko Willink says, “Good,” when someone presents any bad news to him. He said it’s because there is always some good that can come from bad situations. I don’t know whether Jocko’s a Christian or not, but I do know that as Christians who possess a God in our hearts, we should feel all the more joyous than Jocko, because we know what our God can do in the midst of trials. So, as you weather your storms of life, make sure to consider it pure joy; after all, if you trust God, you’re about to see Him. Good.