Finding Joy in Trials: Embracing Pain with Purpose
Summary
Pain and suffering are not topics we often want to face, but they are an unavoidable part of following Jesus. The book of James tells us to “count it all joy” when we encounter trials of various kinds—not if, but when. This is a promise: pain is inevitable in the Christian life. Yet, this is not a sign that something is wrong with us or that God is angry. All the punishment for our sin was poured out on Jesus; what we experience now is not God’s wrath, but the reality of living in a fallen world, sometimes as a result of our own choices, the actions of others, or the schemes of the enemy. Even so, God is not the author of our pain, but He does allow it and, more importantly, He uses it for our good and His glory.
Trials have a way of bringing us back to the feet of Jesus, reminding us of our dependence on Him. When everything is going well, we can easily forget the source of our blessings. But in hardship, we are drawn to seek God’s presence, where we find hope and comfort that the world cannot offer. The world may not understand, but as believers, we have access to a joy that is not based on circumstances. Joy is not the same as happiness; happiness is fleeting and dependent on things going our way, but joy is a fruit of the Spirit, a deep, unshakeable contentment rooted in knowing that God is at work for our good, no matter what is happening around us.
To tap into this joy, we must stay connected to the source—Jesus. This means being people of His presence: rooted in the Word, devoted to prayer, living in Christ-centered community, practicing stillness, and offering genuine worship. In His presence, there is fullness of joy, even in the midst of pain. The purpose of our trials is not just to endure, but to develop steadfastness—a marathon-runner’s determination to keep going, to grow in character and faith, and to become more like Christ. Just as a glove only functions when filled by a hand, we only truly live and bear fruit when filled with the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we are not just made in God’s image, but we begin to live, move, and love like Him, even in the hardest seasons.
Key Takeaways
- Pain is an inevitable part of the Christian journey, not a sign of God’s displeasure or punishment. All punishment for sin was poured out on Jesus, so our trials are not God’s wrath but the reality of a fallen world. Understanding this frees us from guilt and helps us face suffering with a clear perspective. [16:01]
- God is not the author of our pain, but He allows it and uses it for our good and His glory. Trials draw us back to dependence on Him, revealing His faithfulness and mercy in ways comfort never could. Even when we cannot see the purpose, we can trust that nothing is wasted in God’s hands. [25:31]
- The source of our pain can be ourselves, others, the enemy, or simply living in a broken world. Recognizing this helps us take responsibility where needed, resist the enemy’s schemes, and avoid blaming God for what He has not caused. It also humbles us to seek God’s wisdom and grace in every situation. [27:53]
- Joy is not the same as happiness; it is a fruit of the Spirit, rooted in our identity in Christ and our connection to Him. Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy is a deep, abiding contentment that comes from knowing God is at work for our good. To cultivate this joy, we must remain in His presence through the Word, prayer, community, stillness, and worship. [43:04]
- The purpose of pain is to produce steadfastness—a determined, enduring faith that keeps pressing forward even when the journey is hard. Like a glove filled by a hand, we are only able to live out this steadfastness when filled with the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we are transformed to look, act, and love more like Jesus, especially in the midst of trials. [52:44]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - The Presence of God Satisfies
[02:21] - Reading James 1:2-8
[05:01] - No Pain, No Gain?
[07:11] - The Reality of Suffering in the Christian Life
[10:05] - The Adventure and Hope of Following Jesus
[13:13] - The Promise of Pain
[16:01] - God’s Discipline vs. Punishment
[19:29] - God Does Not Author Our Pain
[21:04] - Why God Allows Suffering
[23:21] - God Uses Trials for Our Good
[26:21] - Sources of Pain: Ourselves, Others, the Enemy
[32:03] - Trials of Various Kinds
[37:17] - Hope in the Midst of Trials
[39:37] - The Prescription: Joy, Not Happiness
[43:04] - Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
[45:41] - Living as People of His Presence
[48:51] - The Purpose of Pain: Steadfastness
[52:44] - Illustration: The Glove and the Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- James 1:2-8
_Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways._
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James 1:2, what is the attitude believers are told to have when they face trials? What word does James use, and how is it different from what we might expect?
2. What does James say is produced by the testing of our faith? What is the end goal of this process?
3. In the sermon, what are some of the sources of pain and suffering mentioned? (self, others, the enemy, or just living in a fallen world) [[26:21]]
4. What is the difference between happiness and joy as described in the sermon? [[43:04]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think James tells us to “count it all joy” when we face trials, instead of telling us to avoid or escape them? What does this reveal about God’s purpose in our suffering? [[14:16]]
2. The sermon says that all punishment for our sin was poured out on Jesus, so our trials are not God’s wrath. How does this understanding change the way a believer might view their suffering? [[16:01]]
3. The pastor described joy as a “fruit of the Spirit” and not an emotion. What does it mean for joy to be something that grows in us, and how is it different from a temporary feeling? [[43:04]]
4. The sermon uses the illustration of a glove and a hand to describe being filled with the Holy Spirit. How does this picture help us understand what it means to live out steadfastness and joy in hard times? [[52:44]]
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### Application Questions
1. When you face pain or trials, is your first reaction to ask “What did I do wrong?” or “Is God angry with me?” How might your response change if you truly believed that your suffering is not God’s punishment? [[16:01]]
2. The sermon says that trials can bring us back to the feet of Jesus and remind us of our dependence on Him. Can you share a time when a difficult season drew you closer to God? What did you learn about Him or yourself? [[25:31]]
3. The pastor listed several sources of pain: our own choices, the actions of others, the enemy, or just living in a broken world. Think about a recent struggle in your life—where do you think it came from? How does recognizing the source help you respond differently? [[27:53]]
4. Joy is described as a deep, unshakeable contentment rooted in knowing God is at work for our good. What is one area of your life right now where you need to choose joy instead of waiting for happiness? What would it look like to do that this week? [[43:04]]
5. The sermon talked about staying connected to Jesus through the Word, prayer, community, stillness, and worship. Which of these do you find most challenging to practice regularly? What is one small step you could take to grow in that area this month? [[45:41]]
6. The purpose of pain is to produce steadfastness—a marathon-runner’s determination to keep going. Is there a situation in your life where you feel like giving up? What would it look like to “keep running” with God’s help? [[50:30]]
7. The illustration of the glove filled by the hand shows that we only truly live and bear fruit when filled with the Holy Spirit. What is one way you can invite the Holy Spirit to fill and guide you more this week, especially in a hard area of your life? [[52:44]]
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End with prayer, asking God to help the group see trials through His eyes, to grow in steadfastness, and to experience the fullness of joy in His presence—even in the midst of pain.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Trials with Joy
Trials and suffering are not optional in the Christian life; they are promised and inevitable. Rather than being a sign that something is wrong with you or that God is angry, these hardships are part of the journey of following Jesus. They are woven into the fabric of our walk with God, serving as opportunities for growth and transformation. When you encounter pain, remember that you are not alone or singled out—every believer faces seasons of difficulty. The call is not to avoid or deny these moments, but to face them with a posture of joy, knowing that God is present and at work even in the midst of your struggles. [14:16]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing, and how might you begin to see it as an opportunity for God to work in you rather than just something to escape?
Day 2: God’s Presence is Our Fullness of Joy
True joy is not the same as fleeting happiness; it is a deep, abiding fruit of the Spirit that is only found in God’s presence. While happiness depends on circumstances, joy is rooted in the unchanging reality of who God is and His nearness to us. When you feel overwhelmed by pain or hardship, the invitation is to return to the source—God Himself. In His presence, there is fullness of joy, a joy that cannot be diminished by what is happening around you. Make it your aim to be a person of His presence, seeking Him in the Word, in prayer, in worship, and in stillness, so that your heart can be anchored in His joy no matter the storm. [45:41]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally sought God’s presence in the middle of a hard moment? What is one way you can make space for His presence today?
Day 3: God Uses Pain for Our Good and His Glory
God is not the author of your pain, but He is the Redeemer of it. He does not send suffering to punish you, but He allows trials to draw you closer to Him, to reveal His faithfulness, and to shape your character. Even when you cannot see the purpose, you can trust that God is working all things together for your good and His glory. The pain you experience is not wasted; it is a tool in the hands of a loving Father who is committed to your growth and transformation. In every hardship, there is an invitation to lean into God’s goodness and discover His sustaining grace. [25:31]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Think of a past or present hardship—how might God be using or have used that situation to shape your faith or reveal His goodness?
Day 4: The Source of Our Trials and the Call to Maturity
Not all pain comes from the same place—sometimes it is the result of our own choices, sometimes the actions of others, sometimes the work of the enemy, and sometimes simply the reality of living in a fallen world. Regardless of the source, the way we respond to trials reveals our spiritual maturity. Instead of blaming God or giving up, we are called to grow up, to stand firm, and to allow God to build character in us. The journey to maturity is marked by how we handle adversity, choosing to trust God and persevere rather than retreat or sulk. [30:45]
James 1:12 (ESV)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you tend to blame others or circumstances for your pain? How can you take a step toward maturity by responding differently this week?
Day 5: The Purpose of Pain—Steadfastness and Christlikeness
The ultimate purpose of our trials is to produce steadfastness—a determined, marathon-like endurance that keeps pressing forward even when the way is hard. This steadfastness is not passive waiting, but an active, Spirit-empowered perseverance that shapes us to look more like Jesus. As we remain connected to the Holy Spirit, the fruit of joy and endurance grows in us, enabling us to function, move, and love more like Christ. The goal is not just to survive trials, but to be transformed through them, becoming perfect and complete, lacking nothing as we reflect the image of God more fully. [52:44]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Reflection: Where do you need the Holy Spirit’s help to persevere and grow in Christlikeness right now? What is one practical way you can invite Him to fill and strengthen you today?
Quotes
So there's always a purpose to our pain. But God uses our trials and our troubles and our problems and our situations for our good and for his glory. Hang on, you don't know what I'm going through. He uses that for our good? Yes. Always. [00:11:50] (20 seconds)
See, what sets us apart is that in the midst of our suffering, we can tap into God's overflowing power of joy, God's overflowing river of joy. We can tap into that in the midst of our trouble and our strife and our tribulations and our sufferings and our pain. [00:12:09] (16 seconds)
Part of the training programme is to learn how to take a punch, to learn how to take pain, to go through the pain barrier when you're hurting like anything you've never felt before. And part of the training programme is, yes it's all about fitness and stuff like that but it's also about taking a punch. [00:15:03] (22 seconds)
Please understand this, all the punishment that God had for you was poured out on Jesus, and our past, present and future sins were all laid upon him. And I want to speak for just a minute to the believers in this building and I believe that's everybody or at least most. [00:16:09] (17 seconds)
that's the gospel that God loved you loved the world so much that he sent his only son Jesus who is the perfect likeness the exact image of the father the exact representation of the father that if you believe in him you should not perish but have eternal life this is the gospel and God made Jesus who knew no sin to be made sin for you and me [00:17:19] (24 seconds)
does God allow trial and hardship? I believe he does why? why would he do that? why would a God who loves allow suffering? because let's be honest trials pain and hardships have this knack of bringing us back to the feet of Jesus [00:21:33] (26 seconds)
see when things are good when the car's full of petrol the cupboards are full of food the bills are paid we're a little bit flush with extra cash and the family are just a joy to be with we tend to forget the source of all the good things that we have and then we think that we're the reason for it all but then as soon as something goes wrong we're blind God we're blind God [00:22:01] (33 seconds)
The best description of joy I've ever seen is this. Joy is an unspeakable inner contentment and satisfaction that is anchored in knowing, he doesn't say hoping, wanting or wishing, in knowing that God is at work for our good, regardless of what's going on around us. [00:44:41] (26 seconds)
Because Scripture promises that God meets Him that rejoices. We are promised that God is enthroned, literally takes residence upon the praises of His people. That's not song singing. That is genuine bona fide praise and worship that comes from a heart of gratitude. And how about this? How much more will God inhabit the praises of His people when it costs you something? [00:48:13] (24 seconds)
for we know that the testing of your faith for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing here's the purpose in the pain so that we would come out of the trial with a steadfast faith it may say patience or endurance in some of your Bibles but it's the same thing [00:49:15] (28 seconds)
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