James 1:2-3–Count Trials as Joy

James 1:2-3–"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

This can be a very difficult passage to embrace.  It speaks of trials with an eye with joy, not to think of the trial for its present infliction but to consider them, rather, as means to a godly end.  The point, then, that we infer from this passage is that the any trial that we may face can be reduced if we maintain a proper perspective of hope that God would and does use every to grow His people.  It is true that trials will come and that we will still feel pain.  But we should not lose our secure hope in the reality that God uses whatever predicament we may find ourselves in for our good and for His glory.

All I can say to this is:

Amen!  Praise be to God!