For many of us religion means having faith, going to church, saying regular prayers. But this verse is very clear. Real Christianity is action. Showing love to others. Helping the poor. Giving to charities that relieve the distress of the orphan and the oppressed, or even doing these things ourselves.
If Christians had obeyed this verse, the world would be a different place today. For too many years believers have sat in churches and listened to theological arguments, when all the time God was saying, Go! Do it! Make disciples! Heal the sick! Cast out demons! Eagerly seek spiritual gifts!
James wants us to understand that The Father who never changes is very different from our earthly fathers and those we have already read about in previous verses. That person who is tempted, who is tossed like a wave on the sea, who is full of doubts. God is constant.
When a baby is born he cries and is fed. That continues for several moths. Eventually it grows, becomes more independent. But it cries when he wants something. If the parents constantly give in to the child he will become a selfish brute! He must learn the rules of life.
Everyone faces problems no matter where, or to whom we were born or what we have done in life up to now. By facing the problems, we show our love for Him. Our trials are part of the purifying and maturing process God has tailor-made for each one of us.
In a world where financial crises come and go we must keep our eyes on the only firm foundation; the God who is bigger than every circumstance, the God who promises to meet all our needs, the God who is teaching us daily to trust Him more.
How do we get rid of our doubts? It is so easy to say, but can be so difficult to do. We can encourage ourselves by remembering past answers to prayer. And reminding ourselves of what He has done for us in days gone by, even without our prayers!
It is good to know that God does not get frustrated with us in our own frustrations, but is always ready to help us through. He has the answer to every problem we might ever face. The Greek word here used for finding fault, means reproach or taunting.
Most of us are suffering from something: sickness, depression, not seeing family, lack of work, too much work, financial restraints, and it is difficult to do as James suggests, counting it all joy! That is generally our last reaction, and is a hard thing to do from day to day.
There is certainly more than one occasion when God opened the doors of the heavens. But here we are reading about when He rained down manna after the Israelites were hungry in the desert. We must remember in these strange times that God is still in control.
EN 
FR