Around our Methodist circuit and among people closely associated with us, in the last six months, there have been all sorts of trials, mainly relating to health. Why is this we wonder? James tells us how we should treat these trials in ch 1 verse 2”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, he says. At first look this seems to give us advice that is way out of capabilities to achieve. How can we do this? How on earth can we feel pure joy when we are in the midst of heavy trials. Well actually it doesn’t say that we should feel pure joy, but that we should consider it pure joy. We are not to be ruled by our feelings for they often lead us astray. But our considered opinion can lead us to believe that these trials will eventually do good. Let’s take a look at the author James first of all. Most commentators believe him to be none other than the brother of Jesus who is mentioned in Mark 6:3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary