Minister’s Corner: Count it all joy

James tells us in James 1:2-3 (KJV), “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” What did James mean when he wrote “...count it all joy?” How can we do that in the midst of a trial? Well, the answer is you can consider it joy not because the experience is enjoyable, but the end result is worth the price you’re paying at that moment.
A good example is that of childbirth. When a woman gives birth to a child, she first has to endure labor pains - a knod of suffering more intense than any man can fully understand. It is a type of pain beyond our comprehension. But, in spite of the pain, a mother will tell you the pain can be counted as joy because the end result is worth the price she paid as she gazes on the precious infant in her arms.
While the woman is experiencing labor pains, it would be foolish to tell her to pretend it doesn’t hurt. Of course, being in labor hurts, but the end result is worth it. This is exactly what James is saying to us when he says, “...count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation.” It’s not because the experiences themselves are enjoyable, it’s because we know the end result will be worth the price we pay.