James 1:2-4 (KJV)

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Joy in trials? How crazy does that sound? It is crazy if we look at it from the worldly perspective and not the spiritually.

We have to realize that joy and happiness are different. Happiness is temporary, based on feelings. Joy is fulfilling, based on Jesus. God doesn’t want us to be happy about the fact we are struggling or while we are in the midst of a storm. He does want us to be joyful because He is with us during the trial.

We can be joyful because God has saved us and will never leave us. When we are in the middle of the storm, He is there with us. He walks with us and comforts us. Sometimes He will calm the storm and make everything smooth again, other times He will just calm us.

Once we a get to the other side of the storm, we will be closer to God. We will also be stronger because of it. That is where we find the joy. That is where we receive the blessings that God has in store for us.