If you have been in the faith, even for a little while, you have likely encountered trials. It goes without saying that most if not all of us have experienced them
As Peter put it a ‘manifold’ or multi colored trials are part of this life as being a Christian. When you read your Bible you are likely aware that trails are often referred to as good things, in fact it says we should count it all Joy when we find ourselves in them. Our initial reaction to trials we find them to be a dark place for us. But why does it say count it all joy when we enter into trials?

In James 1:2-4, we see possibly the most referred to version of the term Joy in trials:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

So what is the real joy in trials?
The word count is a financial term, and it means “to evaluate.” When James says to “count it all joy,” he encourages you to evaluate the way you look at trials. Much like looking at a sum of money given to you. The amount, what should be done with it, how you can gain from it.

Lets look at 1 Peter 1:6
In Peter 1:6-7, we see another way to look at them with this aspect of Money or wealth:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (or manifold of trials) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

Being better than gold is the last thing we think of when we encounter a trial. Those values placed on trials are supposed to get us to think beyond the carnal temporary suffering to the greater picture beyond. And that is why we have trials.

James urged us to work on changing our attitude toward troubles from dread to positive expectation, faith, trust, and even joy. This Joy is part of the reason we look different to this world, especially when going through a trial. Too often, we see trials in a negative light. Understand that this is way the world sees them because they cannot see they purpose for them.

In the worldly view or we assume that joy cannot exist in hardship; worse, we consider the hard times as God’s curse upon us or His punishment for our sin, rather than what they really are—opportunities to joyfully mature into being like Christ. One very important thing you have to understand is that trials no matter how big or small are to be grieved as we saw in 1 Peter. This is natural and expected. The grieving and joy go hand in hand. The Joy comes from finding the light of truth in all the darkness.

James 1:3 explains that God intends trials to test our faith and produce spiritual perseverance. Trials are like training challenges for an athlete. Building our endurance and stamina to handle life. If we were to walk through life on easy street and never face hardship, our Christian character would remain untested and underdeveloped. Often we get seduced by the world in pursuing the easy life. That in itself can rob us of the joy we are supposed to have.

One thing we have to be aware of is that if we are not experiencing trials we have to ask God why. The bible shows is that he puts those he loves through trials.

Trials also exercise our faith. In this way we have to understand that Faith has to be exercised, it does not rise to the occasion like a thermostat.
We can count it all joy in trials because in them we learn to depend on God and trust Him. Faith that is tested becomes genuine faith, rugged faith, uncompromising faith.

Faith untested is unreliable faith!

James 1:4 says a believer who perseveres through trials is made “perfect.” This does not mean he or she becomes sinless or without moral failings. Perfect speaks of maturity or spiritual development. Christians who face trials with a joyful outlook—trusting God to accomplish His good purpose—will develop into full spiritual maturity. They will be equipped with everything they need to overcome every trial they encounter. That’s certainly a good reason to rejoice.

Later James 1:12 promises, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” That love of God is very important too.

One of the most interesting stories from World War II was of Polish Army officer Witold Pilecki written about in Man who Broke into Auschwitz by Denis Avey and Rob Broomby. Pilecki arranged to sneak into the concentration camp to expose all the atrocities being done there. He tried to organize an uprising but it not get the backing from the allies because they could not believe what was going on in the camps. He later snuck out in hopes to liberate the camp but, was caught and imprisoned in a POW camp. Later, he found the communist occupation of Poland and was arrested and brutally tortured before being executed in 1948.
When asked why his did so much to endanger his welfare, he replied, “because I love my country.”

That is why those who love God are tested. Like Pilecki he wanted to prove his love for Poland, we too prove our love for God by Joyfully going through trials.

So what is the real joy in Trials?

The real joy in trials is as manifold as the trials themselves but there is some aspects that are the most important. Christian, Corrie Ten Boom was famous for her experience also in WWII.
She would often refer to her life like a tapestry. On one side of it you have a perfect completed picture. On the other all you see is a woven and confusing, often knotted mass of strings. Even used to say the black ones are necessary to give us the complete picture on the other side.

Trials are supposed to exercise our faith. To make us stronger in faith. Like training for the Olympics or a special mission. The joy is looking above what they do to us to what God intends them to do for us. Trials show you that God loves you and you love God. Most people in the world also go through trials but do not have the instructions on how to deal with them from God like believers do.

The world see and portrays trials the wrong way: Worldly people going through trials will often try find their own way out without God. Sometimes it involves sin. God’s way does not involve sin.

One thing always to remember is God will be closer to you in trials than anywhere else in your life.

The Joy in trials comes from knowing that you will have them as part of your walk with God. They are his effort to perfect you through suffering.
The Joy also comes from us believing that God sees the bigger picture in what they do for us, he sees a version of you, you cannot see now.

This is Joy in Trials:
That joy in trials will produce the person we are supposed to be. It is worth more than anything this world can ever give us.