Consider it all joy,  my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

Strong’s Greek Dictionary

Consider G2233 ἡγέομαι hēgeomai; from G71; to lead, suppose:—chief (1), consider (3), considered (2), considering (1), count (4), counted (1), esteem (1), governor (1), leader (1), leaders (3), leading (1), led (1), regard (5), regarded (1), Ruler (1), thought (2).

it all G3956 πᾶς pas; a prim. word; all, every:—all (731), all the things (7), all…things (1), all kinds (1), all men (14), all
people (4), all respects (3), all things (126), all *(1), always *(3), any (16), any at all (1), anyone (3), anything (3), anything *(1), continually *(6), entire (4), every (128), every form (1), every kind (9), every respect (1), every way (2), everyone (71), everyone’s (1), everyone *(1), everything (45), forever *(1), full (2), great (2), no *(15), none *(1), nothing (1), nothing *(1), one (4), perfectly (1), quite (1), whatever (3), whatever *(1), whoever (7), whole (18).

joy, G5479 χαρά chara; from G5463; joy, delight:—greatly (1), joy (54), joyful (1), joyfully (1), joyously (1), rejoicing (1).

my brethren, G80 ἀδελφός adelphos ad-el-fos’ From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]):—brother.

when G3752 ὅταν hotan hot’-an From G3753 and G302; whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causative (conjugationally) inasmuch as:—as long (soon) as, that, + till, when (-soever), while.

you encounter G4045 περιπίπτω peripiptō; from G4012 and G4098; to fall around:—encounter
(1), fell among (1), striking (1).G4012 περί peri; a prim. prep.; about, concerning, around (denotes place, cause or subject):—about (103), about *(1), against (4), all around (1), around (12), around *(1), because (2), behalf (4), case *(1), cause *(1), circumstances *(1), companions *(1), concerning (48), condition *(1), connection (2), followers *(1), help (1), neighborhood (1), over (1), over…about (1), refers (1), regard (3), regarding (4), vicinity (1).G4098 πίπτω piptō; from a redupl. of the prim. root πετ- pet-; to fall:—beat down (1), fail (1), fails (1), fall (15), fall down (2), fallen (8), falling (3), falls (8), fell (46), fell down (6).

various G4164 ποικίλος poikilos poy-kee’-los Of uncertain derivation; motley, that is, various in character:—divers, manifold.

trials G3986 πειρασμός peirasmos; from G3985; an experiment, a trial, temptation:—temptation (12), testing (2), G3985 πειράζω peirazō; from G3984; to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt:—did (1), put (1), put to the test (2), tempt (2), tempted (13), tempter (2), test (6), tested (2), testing (7), tried (2), trying (2).trial (3), trials (4).G3984 πεῖρα peira; a prim. word; a trial, an experiment:—attempted *(1), experienced *(1).

This idea seems very strange.  Looking at the original language for this verse just seems to shout, duh, can I be any clearer?   brothers and sisters, count it, check it off, know it to be a delight, a joyful thing, something to rejoice about whenever, every time, you fall into, are surrounded by, stumble upon, various, all sorts of, motley, and many trials, temptations, testings, proving
grounds.  I know James goes on to say why we should do this, but just the idea of this has to be grasped before we can
understand the why.  Every time we are in trial, we are to count it as a good thing to rejoice about.  We complain about getting out of bed and that’s not the hardest trial we will face for the day.  Some days it seems like it is, but there are so many things out there that we can stumble into, or light upon that instead of complaining and worrying and getting overwhelmed, we should rejoice about them.  That is a very difficult concept to wrap my mind around.

Dennis Whaley.  Teena said that he never wished a moment of a day away.  He never said that he wished this day or week or hour was over so he could move on to the next.  He lived each moment as a moment that God had placed him in for a purpose.  He was an amazing example of purpose.  He lived with purpose and vision.  I miss him dearly.  His example will always challenge me to find and live out God’s purpose for me.  That is how I can count every moment, trial or not, as a thing to rejoice about.  He was my adopted father while I was away at school, but my Dad is a lot like that too.

Dad may not say as much, but he literally just keeps going no matter what.  I’ve only seen him get frustrated to the point of anger maybe a couple times.  He just keeps working toward the goal in front of him.  He laughs all the time and loves being around his family and friends.  He doesn’t let a long drive or hard work or even annoyances distract him from his purpose.  I’ve worked on cars with him and when I would get mad and frustrated and want to (and sometimes actually do it) throw the wrench or screwdriver he would just keep going. Every time a bolt that we were struggling with would break loose he says, “Praise the Lord.”  He just never gives up and gives God the praise for victory.

I guess if we look at every day as a day with purpose and desire to fulfill that purpose then we can count the trials we face as part of what is necessary for that end.  The trials are a joyful thing, because the end of them gets us closer to achieving the purpose God has for us.  I’ve just jumped into verse 3, so I’ll be done for today and continue tomorrow.

God, please help me see the purpose in my life.  Doing your best TODAY is the best way to plan for your future. Knowing that God will guide you and direct you TODAY means that when TOMORROW becomes TODAY He’ll do it again.  That gives TODAY purpose.  God, I love you and pray that I will have your strength when I light upon and am surrounded by trials and temptations.  I need you today.  You are my strength and in my weakness you are strong.  Father, you are the Potter and I am your clay, please make me into what you want me to be.  Thank you.

In the name of Jesus, amen.

So, you wouldn’t think it, but coming up with something to say on a regular basis has proven harder for me than I thought.  I’m pretty certain that people who know me well are now astonished and amazed.  I will say that Lindsay and I got a chance to go to The Big House the other day.  It was a very interesting/historical day.  Supposedly it’s the first time a Michigan Football game has ever been rained out.  The day started out very hot and uncomfortable.  The rain took away some of the heat, but then we were still uncomfortably wet.  The actualy game time was very cool to watch.  I’ve only ever seen HS or Evangel football from the stands.  It was pretty neat on the 50 yd line.  When I visited UT Austin I was down on the field by the end zone so it was a completely different experience.

Lane change.  As I spend my days connecting with people and seeking monthly support and finding churches that are willing to let me come speak, I find myself getting so focused on activity that I miss out on some solitudinal time with God.  God is the one who gave the call, so I need to get His input every step of the way.  I definitely don’t want to get too busy doing what I think should be done just to spin my wheels in what He wants to see me accomplish.  It’s like stopping and praying with that kid in Wal-Mart the other day.  I saw him at the mall later in the week and was able to talk to him a bit.  He said things were going much better.  Now, maybe I can build a relationship that allows me to speak into his life more.  He works at the mall so I should run into him from time to time.  I’m glad I listened that day, but have I missed other opportunities.  Yes, of course I have.  We all have.  I find that I miss more opportunity to minister when I miss the time where God can minister to me.  The worst is finding opportunity and knowing I would have more to give if I had taken the time myself to refuel in the morning.  Somehow God always comes through, but how nice would it have been to give something fresh.  When I spend the time in the morning to get something fresh from God, it always tastes better throughout the day when I have the chance to share it.  So, all of this being said…I’m going to go be alone for awhile.  God bless you today.