Every Christian wants to believe that he absolutely, positively trusts God. Belief and reality may not be the same thing. Our faith level is revealed in our attitude and actions when trouble knocks on our door.
James, Jesus’ brother, knew that being a Christian does not exempt one from trouble. He also knew that trials, when handled correctly, would produce a life of victory. Everyone wants to believe that God will bring them through trials, but nobody wants to experience a trial to see if it be true. God will not settle for lip service. Sooner or later, everyone’s faith is tested. James teaches us how to become stronger in our faith through the trouble of this old world that is bound to come. James 1:2-4 in the Amplified Bible reads:
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Joy (exhilaration, exuberance) is not the first emotion that one experiences when trouble comes, especially when we are not looking for it, or deliberately caused it. Trouble just burst through the door of our lives, unexpected and unwanted. Some troubles are considered small, like a flat tire on the way to work. Some tests are detrimental, like being lied on or misunderstood. Some trials are more serious, like the diagnosis of stage four cancer. James’s next sentence tells us why we must consider it nothing but joy when we fall into trouble.
3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. I interpret the joy James is talking about as a “knowing” in my gut that somehow everything is going to end with me being vindicated and victorious. Not because of me, but because of God. Somehow, He is going to turn it around, if I just take the next step that James describes.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. Knowing that God is going to make it turn out for our good, we must stop trying to abort the test and let it run its course. “Be still and know that I am God,” He says. When we calm down and realize that no matter how it looks, God is still in control. Then we breathe easier. Worry will flee. Hang in there! “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.” Each time we stay the course, the result or prize is stronger faith in God; until we are spiritually mature, wanting nothing He can’t or won’t give to us. What a peace that truth brings. Joy! Joy! Joy!
Each round of testing that we pass makes us more fit for God’s service use. I want to live a victorious life serving Jesus, my Savior.
Have you experienced joy or had a calm “knowing” in your belly in the middle of a trial because you believed God was going to make everything alright – one way or the other? Were you patient, able to endure, and did not try to end the trouble on your own? Is your faith in God stronger now that the trial is over? Share what and if you can. #Join the conversation.
Thank you for the words of encouragement.
You are welcome. Than you for letting me know you read this blog. I appreciate it.
Thank you, Dorothy!
You are welcomed, Osceola. Much love.
I enjoyed this reading Count It All Joy. I know that there is a joy in serving the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 Ezra said “joy of the Lord is your strength”. In all of my life trials God has never fail me. “For Every Mountain He brought brought me over and every trial God has seen me through, I give him Praise.
Vivian, thank you for provoking us to praise. God bless you.
Powerful message Dorothy….
Thank you for reading the blog and joining the conversation, Deborah.
I don’t equate joy, calm and happiness as being the same by any means. For me joy is a knowing that God is near regardless of the situation though the situation seems so dire that you feel sad about it, but knowing that the calm will soon come. Happiness is temporary and it comes from something pleasurable. Calm requires an action, a preparation before the storm, bracing for the storm or the sense of release once the storm has passed. But joy is God, knowing God and having a relationship with God. A cancer diagnosis or anything negative cannot remove joy.
Anonymous, that is a great revelation – joy is knowing God is near. Thank you for sharing.
We were just talking in church about being that conduit for people to make through the toughest time in our life. We all struggle with some kind of problem, situation, or temptation but praise be to God that we have the victory over it all. We have to learn how to praise Him in advance praise Him while we are going through and praise when He brings us out.
Amen, Pastor Sterling, amen. Thank you for joining the conversation.
Thank you for reminding us what God’ word says. When I’m faced with trouble, flesh wants to jump right in, but thanks be to God for the Holy Spirit, that calm voice reminding me of God’s word. Choosing Gods way gives me victory, remembering the joy of the Lord strengthens me. Honour and glory to God for being with us always!
Judy, I join you in thanking God for the Holy Spirit.
Powerful…. Thank you. Very encouraging!
Thank you for joining the conversation. God bless you.
Yes Lord I want to be completely developed in my Faith. Sometime distractions just gets in the way. However must keep pressing on. Great message Dr. Haire!
This is an awesome desire – “to be completely developed in my faith.” All Christians should desire this.
Love Count It All Joy. There are family physical issues that should have cause me to be worried and become depressed. I know that Gods Word is truth and if I speak it into the atmosphere that it will to return unto Him Void. I know the Word said to ask and I shall receive. Hebrews 11:1 say that Faith is Now,so when I pray for what I need God to do, I don’t pray what is going on, what’s been said are what I feel. Once I do that I have a peace with no worries because God said that he will supply all of my needs. So that’s why I Can Count It All Joy because God can not fail nor can He lie. His promises are true and I can have confidence that His word will work for me because I ask in Faith in His Word. Thank you for sharing .
Thank you for joining the conversation.
This is very true. Every trial I’ve experienced and every test I’ve passed has taken me a step higher. Though you hurt and sometimes confused as to why you have to go through especially when you were obedient unto the Lord; He always bring you out like pure gold when you follow His instructions. I always say that I rather go through without rebuke than to gripe and complain which will make it worse and a lengthy trial. I count it all joy because it has definitely made me stronger, wiser, and better.
Deborah, you have learned a valuable lesson that will give you victory every time – refusing to complain in the midst of a trial because you know that you and God are a winning team.
Sorry for just now responding, but in agreement, because God has proven and is yet proving that all things is working for our good.
Shirley, thank you for reminding us that “God has proven and is yet proving that all things is working for our good.”