In the opening chapters of James the writer tells us to all our suffering to be joyous. We are to "count it all joy" when we fall into various trials and troubles. We find that difficult but none-the-less we, through faith, do as instructed. However, note the following as James unfolds the rest of the book:
James 4:9-10
Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
In chapter one we are to be joyous in trial but in chapter four we are to be mournful when we think things are good for us. James has just finished telling us the pitfalls of pride. Pride comes when we think high of ourselves. Pride tends to excite us and make us joyous. But, instead of being happy and excited in times of pride we are to be "miserable, mourn and weep .... letting our laughter turn to mourning." In one case (suffering) we are to be joyous (1:2-3) and in the other case (pride) we are to be mournful (4:9-10). Christianity is upside down in comparison with the world. The world says be miserable when you are in suffering and be joyous when you have done good. Christianity says the opposite. Be joyous in suffering (because God is working in it) and be mournful in prideful times (because God can't use it). Turn you life upside down. Be a real Christian.
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