They say the Kingdom of God is an upside down Kingdom. The way up is down. The way to go higher is to go lower; it is no surprise the way to victory in the Kingdom is through set backs, difficulties, and trials. Fellow believers often react in a manner that demonstrates they do not understand God's view of our trials--even though the scriptures are very clear on the matter. The way to victory is to rejoice in our sufferings! To count various trials all joy (James 1:2).
Of course, counting trials joy goes against the grain of our human nature. When we see our difficulties with the natural eye they can frustrate and sometimes overwhelm us. God wants us to take a supernatural view of our difficulties. From heavens perspective our tribulations will build endurance and produce godly character. This character brings a confident expectation of good as God's love encourages us. Trials come to make us strong and produce an overcoming spirit in us (1 John 5:4). Actually, handling our trials successfully will bring us to a place of maturity where we lack nothing (James 1:4). David wrote, "The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those that wait on the Lord (are patient) lack NO GOOD thing" (Psalms 34:10). In fact, I encourage you to read the entire 34th Psalm, it is a great exhortation to rejoice during our trials believing God for deliverance and salvation. It will make you want to shout!
There is a process to rejoicing in our difficulties. Rejoicing builds patient endurance into our lives and this patient rejoicing will produce godly character, which in turn gives us a confident hope of salvation and this hope will not disappoint us (Romans 5:3-6 NLT) . God cannot let us down! It's impossible (Hebrews 6:18).
As an example, a weight lifter puts stress on his/her muscles to break them down. It is the process of "breaking down" that leads to the building up of the muscle. The stronger we get the more stress (on the muscle) we can handle and the greater weight we can carry. Trials are much like this: The more we go through trials with endurance the more spiritual strength we gain. Rejoicing in difficulties exercises your faith in the faithfulness of God. God will never fail you or forsake you, it is impossible for God to break His word to you (Numbers 23:19). Frankly, it is our unbelief that causes us to despair, complain, and get discouraged.
Peter writes to his friends in Christ "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad (rejoice) for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when He is revealed to all the world (1 Peter 4:12,13 NLT). He continues, "So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God (rejoicing!), keep doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you (1 Peter 4:19 NLT). This is great encouragement. I once heard a preacher say, "Don't waste your trials. God truly does work everything for the good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose--even our trials." Do you believe it? Then rejoice!
It's important to keep in mind that although God has a purpose in our trials Satan also has a purpose. His intention is to get you to move off of the word. In Mark 4:17 we see that tribulation or persecution comes to offend you, causing you to give up on the word. The battle truly is a word battle. Are we going to take our stand on the Word of God, or are we going to be offended and stumble (1 Peter 2:8). Satan is not afraid of any human person; but he does recognize the power and authority of the word spoken by lips of faith. Remember Jesus' 3 temptations; He spoke the word each time He was tempted. Jesus overcame the Devil by the word and that's the same way you will overcome him.
The instruction to rejoice in our trials is 100% a faith issue. Listen once more to Peter: "In this you greatly REJOICE, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your FAITH, being more precious than gold which perishes, though it be TESTED by fire, may be found to the praise, honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6,7). It's a test. Do you desire to prove faithful, giving honor and glory to Jesus? Then rejoice!