Count it all Joy.

James invites us to a surprising posture: count hard things as moments God can use to shape us. That doesn’t make pain smaller, but it gives it purpose. Steadfastness is formed in the small, faithful choices we make when life is messy.

Real, human examples:

• The entrepreneur: Luis kept his 10‑minute morning rhythm during a slow quarter. He didn’t get instant answers, but his decisions became calmer and he noticed new opportunities from relationships he’d been nurturing.

• The parent: Sofia kept reading a verse with her child each night even during a season of exhaustion. Over time, patience grew and family conversations shifted from stress to hope.

• The ministry leader: Pastor Miguel journaled one sentence about God’s faithfulness each week. When burnout threatened, those entries reminded him of steady grace and renewed his calling.

• The curious friend: If you’re exploring faith, try the same simple habit, read one verse, write one honest thought, and pray one short line. See what steadies you.

This practice won’t erase trials, but it trains your heart to rely on God through them. Over months and years, those tiny choices become the steadfastness James describes.

Prayer: Lord, help us to count our trials as places where You are at work. Give us the discipline to show up each day, the courage to trust You in the hard moments, and the patience to grow in steadfastness. Amen.