Overcoming Trials With Joy

Jul 2, 2025 • Pastor Bracken Christian

2 Cor 5:7 We walk by faith and not by sight

One of the strongest evidences of faith is Joy and peace.

Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.

Faith has a praise that defies the darkness.

James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;

How do you face trials?

James 1:2

The testing of your faith is the test of your attitude.

1. When you face a trial with intentional joy, you are passing God’s test.

“I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES. His praise will continually be in my mouth…” (Ps. 34:1).

2. Evaluate the trial correctly.

Jesus, “for the joy set before Him endured the cross” (Heb. 12:2).

He evaluated a horrible “trial” as an eternal “triumph.”

3. Trials are maturing your faith.

When you maintain your joy, it says to God that you are not basing your love for Him on perfect circumstances.

Job passed his test and received a double reward.