Count It All Joy (part 1)

In the book of James, he writes about counting trials as joy.

This is where we roll our eyes and sigh.

But... it is in the Bible, so maybe its possible- right?

James 1:2-8
² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

After my husband lost a large part of our income, I immediately read this verse. I rolled my eyes. But before I slammed the Bible shut I considered that I may have something to learn here, and it turns out I did! So I would like to share a few things that we can have joy about.

The first thing to do is put a firm stamp right on the problem to declare something good (and by good, I mean fantastic) will come out of it.

Romans 8:28
²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

True, according to these verses fantastic things will come after we have been patient enough, eliminated doubting, and are living within the purpose of God. Sounds quite daunting in the midst of a trial. But then again, why would we want it any other way? This is our life- the only one we get. Is it worth it to shut up and endure while God works out His perfect plan? I dare say so, because worse than the trial is the thought of not experiencing the adventure of what I was made for.

Endure to see the fantastic.