Count It All Joy…

One bible passage I used to really struggle with comes from the book of James.

It says,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever 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. –James 1:2-4

So, according to this verse, we are supposed to be joyful over the trials of life?!?

In a way that seems far-fetched.

 

But look closer…

First, James is talking to other Christians.

We know this because he calls them his brothers.

As Christians, we live within the boundaries of God’s economy, not man’s.

This means that the reasoning and morals of God are what we adhere to.

They are different than the world’s and are often complete opposites to each other.

As Christians we cannot look at things from the world’s point of view.

We must look at things from God’s perspective.

 

Next, notice he says to consider it joy.

He doesn’t say the trial should be joyful in and of itself.

Trials are very painful.

They fall under many categories: serious illness, financial struggles, relationship problems, and many other troubles that can come our way.

Typically, trials are things we cannot do anything about ourselves.

Things only God Himself can intervene and help with.

 

Look at what the purpose of these trials is.

The reason for trials is so our faith will be tested.

Testing our faith strengthens it and teaches us to hang in there spiritually when things are hard – to persevere.

The reason we need to learn to persevere is so that we can become more spiritually mature.

 

When we put all this together we see that these trials are there to mature and improve us.

We are to decide to trust God and look to Him.

We are to feel joy at His love for us – so much love that He is teaching and maturing us instead of leaving us as is.

This is what it means to count it all joy – to feel joy at the fact that God is molding and maturing us into someone who is more like Christ and who is more in line with what and who He has called us to be.

 

Remember..

Spiritual maturity is the goal here.

The trials are not so that you will fail.

They are to teach you to win.

 

The next time you face a trial, go straight to God in prayer and ask Him what it is you can learn from this situation.

What is it you can learn about Him and His goodness?

What is it you can improve about yourself?

Then, ask Him to walk you through the trial so that you can come out on the other side more mature and closer to Him.

It is then that you will be able to count it all joy…

 

 

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. -Hebrews 4:16