Count it all Joy

‘Count  it  all joy when you fall into various trials or temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience’. James 1:2 It  goes on to state that patience produces maturity and contentment.

This is another challenging verse. Our natural reaction is to be angry, disturbed, upset when bad situations arise.

If I lose my job, I should count it all joy? This requires a high level of thinking or maturity. Loosing your job is not the end of the world. It may be an opportunity to regroup and enter a different industry or take on another challenge. Opportunities abound in many difficulties only if we have the eyes to see it. Rejoicing in the midst of adversity may be the key that just unlocks the opportunities

I thought I’m supposed to avoid difficult situations or curse people who bring such situations into my life. The answer is not avoiding situations or feeling bad when they occur but in asking for the grace to accept such situations as opportunity for growth and development of character.

Why should I count it all joy when going through a difficult time? Joy comes from within regardless of the circumstances I see AROUND ME. On the other hand, happiness is induced by what we see happening around us and can be temporary. It can also be based on how we feel whereas Joy is dependent on who is the author of your faith.’When they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil… rejoice in that day; and leap for joy…” (Luke 6:22-23)

Deep understanding of the Word through speaking and listening to the Creator of the universe will ensure that we are always joyful. A joyful countenance will result in life devoid of sickness and disease. It will be fruitful and full of life. In fact we are commanded to serve our creator joyfully and wholeheartedly. ‘With joy shall you draw water from the wells of salvation’. This is one of the reasons why laughter sessions have become a big industry.

Worry is an assassin of rest and relationships. It hijacks our minds and destroys creativity. There is a prescription for worry in the Manual and it say ‘do not worry about anything but pray about it and peace that passes understand will fill your mind‘ Tell your creator what you need and thank Him for the answer before you receive the physical manifestation. That takes FAITH. The same scriptures continues ‘whatever is honorable, pure, admirable, of good report, think on those things, then the God of peace will be with you‘. There is work for us to do in order to stay positive and worry free. We have been given the appropriate prescription for worry. When we think of positive things, we are joyful even though our problems may not have changed.

You can change you live by changing how you see the circumstances around you. Learning to do that may need your total surrender to a higher authority and submission to His word. This powerful article illustrates the importance of this subject and how we are commanded to serve our Creator with joy.