Pure Joy

There are moments burned into my memory that I consider pure joy...finding out that I was FINALLY pregnant; the birth of my children; watching them smile for the first time; cheering them on in their sports or music activities; playing cards with Kevin and the kids and laughing hysterically; having girls' night out and being with friends; singing and leading worship in church...so many images of times spent with people that God has blessed me with. Pure joy - it seems so evasive in everyday life, but when it comes, you know it and you never want it to end.
That's why I was taken back when I read in James 1 today that we are to consider it 'pure joy' when we encounter trials of all kinds. Today I attended the funeral of a friend. Work has been very hard. Natalie leaves in 2 weeks. Money is tight. I feel guilty for not being home with my family more. I don't see pure joy in any of that. I know the 'right' answers, "God is in control, your friend is in heaven, God won't give you more than you can handle, you have to trust him with your children". I know all of that in my head, but the 'consider it pure joy' thing I still don't get. Even when I look at the original Greek word - it means joy and gladness. HOW??? I know that these trials are teaching me to persevere and are maturing me and I can be content with that, but I'm struggling right now trying to see it as pure joy. Today I just feel weary. His mercies are new every morning. Maybe tomorrow I will look for at least one moment of pure joy and appreciate it. I pray that He will teach me to be joyful smack dab in the middle of the trials and not just endure them.