How can I have joy when I'm going through trials?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Sometimes Christians believe that once they have been accepted into the Kingdom of God, their lives will be problem-free. But the Bible teaches that hardships and trials are a part of living on this side of eternity. Trials can come from various sources—our own sin, the general brokenness of the world, or God’s refining work to strengthen our faith. Even in the midst of trials, we can have joy because we trust in God's promises, His presence, and His eternal plan for us. Our joy is not based on pleasant circumstances but on the hope of being made more like Christ and spending eternity with Him. Our joy is based on knowing who God is, that He is with us, and that He uses everything we go through for good. This joy, empowered by the Holy Spirit, allows us to endure trials while trusting that God is using them for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• We can have joy when we go through trials because we have been promised an eternal home where we will be in God’s presence. Psalm 16:11 tells us about this place: "in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Our trials are temporary, but what awaits us for eternity is fully good.
• Isaiah 43:2 emphasizes God's constant presence and protection during trials. No matter the intensity of our struggles, God's power will preserve us.
• In the face of the darkest trials, David expresses confidence in God's unwavering companionship and care (Psalm 23:4). The "rod and staff" represent God's guidance and protection, giving comfort and reassurance.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Bible is clear that trials are a part of life (John 16:33; James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 4:12).
• Sometimes trials come as a result of the general brokenness of the world due to sin (Romans 8:20-22).
• Sometimes we bring hardship on ourselves through our own sinful choices (Galatians 6:7-8).
• Sometimes, God allows or gives us trials to strengthen and refine our faith (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
• Those who face trials are being treated as children of God, and God is a loving, attentive Father—He brings discipline to our lives in order to teach us and make us righteous (Hebrews 12:7-11).
• James says we are to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials (James 1:2 NIV). He explains why: "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:3-4).
• Similarly, Peter writes, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7).
• Believers desire to be conformed into Christ’s image (Romans 8:29).
• We can find joy in trials as we realize that our weaknesses and difficulties allow us to more clearly see and rely on God’s grace and strength. When Paul had a thorn in his flesh, he prayed for God to remove it. God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul's reply was, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• We can have joy in trials because we are sure of the character and promises of God (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
• We can also have joy in trials knowing that this world is not our final home (Philippians 3:20-21).
• We do not grieve over loss as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Instead, we trust that our Savior is returning.
• Trials do not derail us because worldly ease is not our goal. Eternal joy is just around the corner for the one who endures through the trials and futility of this world (Matthew 24:13; 2 Timothy 4:8).
• When we face trials, we have assurance that God is with us and will help us endure. Hebrews 13:5 reads, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" God's presence is not dependent on our circumstances but on His faithful, unchanging nature. Believers find security in God's constant presence, especially during trials.
• Sorrow and trials are part of this world, but the joy of the Spirit is the knowledge that God redeems the suffering of this world for good purposes and that the next world will be a place of unending happiness, where every tear is wiped away (Revelation 21:4).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

New Christians sometimes believe that their conversion to Christ comes with a trouble-free life. When this turns out not to be true, they begin to ask questions like, "Is it something I've done? Am I really a Christian? Why are all these bad things happening to me if God loves me? Is He really there?" But Christians are not promised a life without problems; trials are part of living in a broken world. We are called to have joy even in the midst of trials.

Does this mean we should not pray for our trials to end? No. The point of the Christian life is not to endure as much suffering as we can. Rather, it is to know God and to be conformed to the image of Christ (2 Timothy 2:12-13; Romans 8:29-30). Sometimes suffering is part of that (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-14). Suffering is also simply a reality of living in a world marred by sin. It is appropriate to pray for our trials to end. In fact, we see examples of people praying for an end to trials throughout the Bible, such as Job, David, and Paul. Even Jesus prayed that, if possible, He would not have to endure the cross. Yet He submitted His will to the Father and endured that suffering to bring salvation to us (Luke 22:39-46). The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured "for the joy that was set before him" (Hebrews 12:1-2). We can pray for trials to end while still having joy in the midst of hardships, submitting our wills to God and asking Him to use our circumstances for our good and His glory.

Does having joy in trials mean we are supposed to be all smiles and dismissive of hardship, even when we are suffering? No. A person can experience joy and suffering simultaneously. Having joy does not mean we disregard painful circumstances. Rather, it means we look at them with a godly perspective, trusting that God is with us during them(Romans 8:28-39). We can weep (Romans 12:15) and also "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12). Our joy is founded on hope in Christ, not on pleasant life circumstances. Our joy in trials is an attitude of a heart resting in Jesus Christ. Ultimately, joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit indwells believers, and His joy is always there, just as He has promised always to be with us (Hebrews 13:5-6).

UNDERSTAND

• We can have joy in trials because God promises His presence.
• We can have joy in trials because they refine our faith.
• We can have joy in trials because with God, even trials have eternal purpose.

REFLECT

• How can you embrace joy in the midst of trials, knowing that God is with you and using the circumstances for your good and His glory?
• In what areas of your life do you need to trust God’s presence more deeply, especially when facing difficulties?
• How can you shift your perspective to see your trials as opportunities to grow in faith and become more like Christ?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage each other to find joy in the midst of our trials instead of avoiding trials or having poor attitudes through them?
• Why is it important to remind each other of God’s promises when we are struggling through tough times?
• How can we support each other in trusting God’s purpose for the trials we face, even when it’s hard to understand?