“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2  
When you read the last part of the second verse from James 1, you might shake your head and say “What?  An opportunity for joy in times of trouble?  Not now, Lord, not now.”  But that is exactly what God wants for you when all is said and done…Joy.
When troubles and trials do come your way, it often rocks your world.
One brief example I recall is when a loved one tragically and suddenly passed away, and her brother ended up accepting Christ as His Savior at her funeral. (Please read Sadness into Joy for the whole precious story.) Joy in the end of troubles!
I know that when I look back at the most difficult times in my life, I was NOT jumping for joy in the midst of it all.  But I can see the good that did come out of it all in the end when I relied on Christ.  That’s the key…relying on Christ.
Satan would like nothing better than for when you go through trials that you suffer and not recover.  He wants to wreak havoc on your life.  But we don’t want Satan to be the one receiving “joy”, let’s leave all the joy to us through Jesus Christ.
Brothers and Sisters, I want to encourage you to stand strong and lean on Christ when you are in the midst of the difficulties in your life.
I pray many blessings and much joy for you! – Stephanie