Saint James’ call to lament, mourn, weep, and have our joy change into dejection, seems at odds with Saint Paul’s exhortation to rejoice at all times. However, this contradiction is only apparent: Rejoicing at all times is only possible as the fruit of true repentance and conversion. Repentance and conversion are, in turn, initially marked by sorrow, mourning, and tears of compunction—what Saint James terms, humbling ourselves before the Lord. And it is in the exaltation promised those who truly repent, that the joy breaks forth. Indeed, when joy fails to follow conversion, the sadness and dejection that persist are little more than our wounded egos bewailing their humiliation. In contrast, the truly humble and repentant person experiences the beginning of joy even while still struggling against sin and weakness. This is a joy based on hope and trust in God’s promises and his power to save. For, God who begins the good work of conversion in us, will also bring it to full completion.