Circumstances in life reveal our hearts towards God.

James 1:2-4 KJV

[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Have you ever felt confused by this scripture? I know I have. I used to wonder how I was supposed to feel joy during tough times. Was I supposed to ignore my problems or act like they weren't real? Sometimes, I would hear others talk about their struggles and say things like, 'God is in control' or 'I leave it in God's hands,' but it often felt like they weren't being completely honest about how they felt.

Let's break this down: situations, circumstances, and afflictions in life reveal our hearts towards God. For context on why we experience suffering, please refer to our post (Suffering Explained).

We can count it joy not because of what we are facing in that particular situation, but because of who we look up to, who we have trusted, and who sits on the throne. Nothing goes unnoticed by Him. The joy James speaks of is not the same as pretending to be cheerful—it is a deep, steady confidence rooted in God’s faithfulness, even while we acknowledge our pain. That's why the scripture says to count it joy. We are not being asked to be blind to our afflictions but to be comforted when we have trusted God.

It’s worth noticing that the situations and patterns we go through in life show where our hearts are with God and whether we truly belong to Him. As we endure these trials, our faith is strengthened and our character is shaped. Perseverance in difficult times teaches us patience and maturity, making us more complete in our walk with God.

We read about people who trusted God in the bible and how others ridiculed them, and typecast ourselves as those who trusted and not the naysayers. And yet we blind ourselves to the reality that we are the naysayers and not those who have trusted.

Let’s be grateful for the hard times we face, trusting that these moments will show where our hearts are with God and guide us toward salvation. Consider this: How might you respond differently to your current challenges if you saw them as opportunities for growth in faith and character?

THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR KEEPING US THROUGH.