As we enter a festive season full of “comfort and joy”, Erik Strandness looks at what biblical joy looks like and how we are to practise it in the midst of the darkness

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 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.” (James 1: 1-4)

James begins his letter with a brief greeting and then drops a bombshell: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” No warmup, no preamble, no love of God talk, just the bold declaration that they should be joyful in hardship. How is that possible? … (Register to read the whole article)