"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Here James basically repeats the lesson taught in Romans chapter 8, verse 28, that all things work together for the good of those who love The Lord. James uses different words saying count it all as joy when you go through trials. Dealing with trials is what matures and completes us.
Like it or not, storms, trials, and bad times are necessary for our growth and development. Just as plants do not develop a strong root foundation when the water and nutrients that they need are readily available on the surface. The roots of plants grow deeper into the earth during dry and hard times. Persevering during the trials and storms of life cause us to strengthen our foundation by testing our faith. Although the bad times are not fun or easy to deal with, we are better off for having gone through them. We should consider the trials that we endure training and preparation for future rewards. They are the precursors to good things. So, trials and tests are, in fact, good things themselves. So, as we go through life, we should count it all as joy.
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