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.