Unfortunately, and decidedly contrary to God’s desire, adversity is part of this life. First-century Jews who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior were acutely aware of this. Not long after the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John were imprisoned by Jewish leaders for healing a lame man in Jesus Christ’s name. This was just the beginning of escalating pressure. It peaked when Saul, a self-proclaimed “Pharisee of the Pharisees,” began capturing and imprisoning Christian Jews. But it didn’t end there; their challenges only intensified over time.
In his epistle to his fellow Jews, James instructed his Christian brothers and sisters not to succumb to self-pity or helplessness amid adversity. Instead, he urged them to embrace joy. Indeed, this wasn’t a suggestion; it was a divine command. Like all of God’s commands, facing adversity with joy was crucial to living the abundant life made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
James explained that encountering adversity with joy would fortify their ability to withstand future assaults on their faith. By doing so, they would grow more courageous, witnessing their loving Father deliver them from hardship time and time again. This process would create a feedback loop, with each victory reinforcing their determination to trust God, regardless of external appearances.
In this inspirational teaching, you’ll discover that James wasn’t the only servant of God who encouraged believers to find joy amid adversity. Both Peter and Paul echoed his counsel. You’ll also learn about Job, whose unwavering trust in God throughout severe misfortune brought him great rewards. But undoubtedly, the greatest example of finding joy in suffering was Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus persevered through the crucifixion by focusing on the joy he would experience at his resurrection. Let these extraordinary individuals serve as examples of how you, too, can find joy in adversity and thereby strengthen your faith in God.
