“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” (James 1:2). Why are we tested over and over again? Why is there such a diversity in our temptations? Couldn't God get all He needed to know about our faith and patience and courage from a limited sample of tests and trials? I believe that we have such a diversity of temptations because every trial to which we are subjected presents a unique opportunity to experience a particular kind of joy that we can experience in no other way. This joy can come to us as the exhausted relief of a battle hard fought but nevertheless a battle in which we came off the conqueror. Or, we can experience a different but no less rewarding kind of joy as we first lose the battle but then come to rely more deeply on the saving merits of Jesus Christ as we repent and savor the sweet taste of redemption. We can allow bitterness to creep into our hearts as more and more different kinds of tests are thrust upon us, or we can relish the challenge of finding new and diverse kinds of joy from each of these experiences. I hope we will all come to realize that it is all joy.
