What is your response to trials and hardships? James reminds us to count these things a joy. It is a very different thing than happiness. Happiness is based on our circumstances but joy is deeper, it is an inner peace and contentment knowing that our Abba is working in ever circumstance to bring about His good will and purposes in our lives. It is the trials of life that remind us of the insufficiency of self-sufficiency and our utter dependence upon Him who is our life.