James 1:2-3 ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, ^[ whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Growing up as young girl, I can recall hearing a hymn choir sing the song, “I still have Joy”.  Some the lyrics to the song were: after all I have been through me still having joy.

When I was young I did not understand that song, because it made no sense to me to have joy when you have been through trials and tribulations.   In James the scripture encourages believers to count the trials joy, because of the purpose it brings with your faith.  When you mature in Christ you learn to trust God in every situation, because you know that it is through the trials that you learn to have perseverance.