This morning in Bible class I taught through James 1:1-18. After greeting his readers James immediately launches into a grab bag of encouragement and teaching aimed at helping these Christians glorify God in the midst of the right here and now.

James 1:2-4 TNIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

When I go through “trails” I very rarely consider it pure joy. I felt inadequate while teaching through this section of chapter 1. I explained, feebly, that to go through trails and to consider it joy was an attitude of the heart and mind. I felt unable to give a great example of what that might mean or what being joyful in trails looks like lived out.

A few minutes ago I read a post that highlighted Ronald Reagan’s diary entry from March 30, 1981- the day he was shot by John Hinckley Jr.

I can’t think of a more painful trial than:
a) being shot by a bullet
b) being shoved to the car floor after receiving said bullet
c) having a linebacker Secret Service Agent ride on top of you to the hospital

All of this happened a month after Reagan turned 70 by the way. Here is what he remembered as important that day:

“Left the hotel at the usual side entrance,” “headed for the car—suddenly there was a burst of gunfire from the left.” Secret service “agent pushed me onto the floor of the car” and “jumped on top. Then I began coughing up blood, which made both of us think—yes, I had a broken rib” and “it had punctured a lung.” The agent “switched orders from” going to the White House, go to George Washington University Hospital. “By the time we arrived, I was having great trouble getting enough air. I walked into the emergency room and was hoisted onto a cart. It was then we learned I’d been shot” and “had a bullet in my lung. “Getting shot hurts. Still my fear was growing because no matter how hard I tried to breathe it seemed I was getting less and less air. I focused on that tile ceiling and prayed. But I realized I couldn’t ask for God’s help while at the same time I felt hatred for the mixed up young man who had shot me. Isn’t that the meaning of the lost sheep? We are all God’s children and therefore equally beloved by him. I began to pray for his soul and that he” could “find his way back to the fold. … The days of therapy, transfusion, intravenous, etc.” had gone, “have gone by—now it is Saturday, April 11, and this morning I left the hospital. “Whatever happens now I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can.”

Reagan said that he couldn’t pray for himself before he prayed for Hinkley. In the midst of a pretty tough ordeal the President not only turned his heart and thoughts to God but set his heart on caring for and lifting up his would-be assassin.

What does it look like to live in joy while living though trials? It is living in such a way that you can say with all your heart, “Whatever happens now I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can.”

HT Jordon Cooper