Last night in BASIC we looked at what James, Jesus' half brother, wrote to his readers.  He said, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." 
We are only able to consider the trials or bummers that we face with joy because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Our salvation through Jesus Christ is eternal, forever, and that is why when we have a bummer come our way that we can compare that bummer to our eternal life through Jesus Christ and the bummer begins to look very small.  That bummer will pass away, but our eternal life is forever. 
James says when we face trials, not if.  You are going to face a trial today, tomorrow, next week, next month, all this school year, and yet, God wants us to consider those trials to be joy.  Trials will make us stronger. 
I want to hear from you; when you have a bummer or trial come you way tell about it and how you were able to consider it joy.