James 1:2

There is a two-fold outline on trials:
 I.  Reaction to trials - verse 2
II.  Reward of trials - verses 3-4

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials"


Here is the 1st command out of 54.  James calls them Brother which means Christian brother  [ἀδελφός adĕlphŏs - Strong's # 80.] You will see this 15 times.  Count it all joy ~ the word count [ἡγέομαι hēgĕŏmai - Strong's #2233] means to regard or consider.  [In doing a little research on the greek word for count, I found that we get our word hegemony which is a leadership or power word.  When the trials collapse in on me, take leadership; take control; count it all joy.  You take these trials & take control and you count this to be joy when you encounter various trials]
So what James is saying is that you should count or consider your trials as joy. You should respond with a deliberate, intelligent appraisal. It is NOT an emotional reaction.  Now James is not saying force a smile but look at your trials from God's perspective and recognize the trial as producing something valuable in your life.  He doesn't tell us in this verse to ENJOY the trial but to find JOY in them. Now, look up Hebrews 12:2 - looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Did Jesus encounter the cross with a smile?  No because when He was in the garden He was in great agony...so much so that he sweat great drops of blood.  He knew his trial was producing something valuable for mankind...salvation, a way to heaven. Think of your difficulties as a gift from God instead of dirty rotten deals!  Read James 1:17  - trials are gifts from God...did you know that? They are to perfect us. Remember too, that if we choose not to respond to our trials correctly then guess what, they will come back around...but they will be worse!
Ok so now what does James mean when he says "fall into various trials"?  "Fall" [Strong's #4045.  περιπίπτω pĕripiptō] means to fall into something so that you are completely surrounded by it.  It is the same Greek word used in Luke 10 and the story of the Good Samaritan.  Trials are like that...you're just going about your day and Wham!  Read I Peter 4:12 & 13 - "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."  
"Trials" [Strong's #3986.  πειρασμός pĕirasmŏs, pi-ras-mos´] in the Greek has the double sense of outward trials but inward temptations.  Outward trials can often become a temptation to sin so we need to respond in a correct way. Should you choose to sin in your trial...know this, it's not from God it's your own choice. [James 1:13].  They are sent to test our faith not to get us to sin.
"Various" [Strong's #4164.  ποικίλος pŏikilŏs, poy-kee´-los] An adjective used to describe Joseph's coat of many colors...
varied, different colors...example, black trials- a death, etc., a red trial might be a move or an illness, a yellow trial might be long lines in traffic or your child spilled milk when you are in a hurry.  How do we respond? Do we bow our knees in humble submission & adoration to what we can learn or do we shake our fist at God? Remember that the people James was writing to had it far worse than we do a [see previous blog note regarding these Christians/martyrs].  
We will stop here and do the second part:  Reward of trials next.  I hope this is blessing you as it has me and that we both will count it all joy...