Rejoicing In Trials

June 30th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

James 1:1b-2 …to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…

The nation of Israel began with Abraham and his grandson Jacob, whose name God later changed to Israel, who birthed 12 sons. These became the 12 tribes of Israel. Though one nation under David and Solomon (circa 1000 BC), they split in 930 BC into 10 tribes in the north (Israel) and two tribes in the south (Judah). The northern tribes succumbed to the Assyrians in 722 BC, although members of all 10 tribes migrated south into Judah. Then in 586 BC the Judean kingdom was sacked by the Babylonians. Though all 12 tribes were carried into captivity and only Judah and Levi maintained their genealogies up to AD 70, all 12 tribes will one day came back together under their Messiah (Isa. 11:12-13; Jer. 3:18; 50:19; Ez. 37; Rev. 7:5-8).

James’ primary audience was comprised of members from each tribe of Israel who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. It is clear the Jewish persecution in Jerusalem began right after Stephen’s stoning (circa AD 35, Acts 7:58-8:3) and intensified after James, the son of Zebedee, was killed by Herod Agrippa in AD 44 (Acts 12:1-2). It was at that time that the Apostle Peter was arrested for preaching Christ in Jerusalem (Acts 12:3). As a result, many Jerusalem Jews scattered and were “dispersed abroad,” in and around Palestine. James wrote to them, encouraging these Jewish Christians to “consider to all joy…when you encounter various trials…” (v. 2).

The trials James speaks of concern the persecution Jewish Christians endured after being scattered. Yet James encouraged them that God has a divine purpose for trials and afflictions and has ordained suffering as an avenue through which He molds and shapes His people. Note:

Trials train us, for God disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6).
Trials determine our love for God (Deut. 10:12; cf. 13:3), Abraham being a prime example in his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22). What he proved was that he loved God more than his own son. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).
Trials equip us to help others. Jesus told Peter, “Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32, italics mine).
Trials test the quality of our faith. Those who complain in their trials have weak faith, but the strong trust in God’s sovereign plan in the midst of their suffering (e.g., Moses and Israel in Ex. 16:4; cf. Deut. 13:3-4; Hezekiah in 2 Chron. 32:31; and Job).
Trials test our resolve to follow Christ, like the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11—all of whom looked past their earthly afflictions to their heavenly hope.
Trials such as losing one’s job or possessions remind us that God is all we need. Our wealth, advanced degrees, and success tend to puff us up and keep us from trusting God for all things (cf. Moses in Ex. 2:11-25 & Phillip in John 6:5-7). Trials help undo this.
Trials humble us and remind us that God is in control, not us. Note how God dealt with Paul and his so-called “thorn in his flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7).
Trials cause us to long for heaven while at the same time savoring the opportunity to serve Christ faithfully in their midst (cf. Phil. 1:23-24; Rom. 8:18-25; 2 Cor. 4:14, 16-18).

Paul, said “I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10).