Before Breakthrough

Read: James 1:2-8

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2

IN WORD

Related to Paul’s “strength in weakness” claim is James’s “rejoice in trials” message. In fact, Paul essentially tied the two together in 2 Corinthians 12:10, writing about how he delighted in persecutions and hardships. We can hardly understand such an attitude; our natural responses are fear, anger, frustration, or a desire either to escape or go to battle. But rejoice? In a trial? No, that doesn’t make sense.

Since when do the ways of the Kingdom make sense to us? Or since when should we even expect them to? We grow accustomed to reactions that defy our own instincts, knowing that having God in the equation changes everything. If we were left to face our trials on our own, not knowing whether they would turn out for our good, insecure in every twist and turn they take us on, then we might have reason to panic. But we’ve been given ample promises to assure us that we are overcomers and that all things work together for our good. We know the victory at the end of each of our stories even when we don’t know how the victories are going to come. Whatever happens in adversity, it’s going to work out to our advantage if we keep trusting in the One who promised. We really can rejoice.

IN DEED

This is more than an offer to relax. It’s a powerful key to overcoming anything we face in life. God doesn’t just tell us it’s okay to rejoice; He insists that it will be better for us if we do. The benefits are numerous—character, endurance, stronger faith, and the like. But they include more than just assistance in making it through our trials. Rejoicing in advance—the intentional, razor-sharp, strategic practice of joy—is a powerful weapon that undoes everything the enemy intended to accomplish by opposing us. When we rejoice, not only do we win, which was going to happen eventually anyway, he loses whatever short-term gains he hoped to achieve. Bringing the celebration of heaven into the trials of earth has a profound ability to undo them. Joy comes before breakthrough.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 8:31-39

Joy is very cheap, and if you can help the poor on with a garment of praise it will be better for them than blankets.

HENRY DRUMMOND