COUNT IT ALL JOY!
James begins his book of the Bible by telling us to “count it all joy when we fall into various trials”. The reason, he continues, is b/c of the result of our trials being the strengthening of our faith.
I used to view this concept with a bit of disdain, I must admit. I was raised Catholic which shaped my thinking along the lines of martyrdom, i.e. the more you suffer, the holier you are. I felt like God’s little victim, powerless to change the path of suffering He had ordained for the “perfecting of my faith”. Recently I had a revelation that totally blew this mindset out of the water when it comes to suffering.
It all started when I expressed my disappointment regarding family vacations. Being a single mom, when it comes to vacations, we don’t have them. Period. I always dream of taking my kids to Sea World, or the beach, or even a weekend getaway, but it never happens. As I voiced this disappointment to a group of brothers and sisters in the Lord, 2 things happened. First, one of the group encouraged me that God was testing and trying my faith. This wasn’t very encouraging. I responded that I was tired of hoping things would change.
The second thing that I noticed was how I was feeling sorry for myself. Red flag! As I drove home that night, I had to repent. I have it so much better off than most of the world just b/c I live in the U.S. Granted we have our own set of trials here, but compared to the world, we are rich!
So I began to explore, with the help of the Helper, the source of this self-pity, which never comes from God. Self-pity is evidence of a victim mentality. Remember, God’s little victim?
As I looked back over my life and I began to realize that I really was more joyful during the times of tribulation. Those were the times I felt the closest to God, I sought Him and focused on Him more fully, and my faith was activated. During trying times, we sometimes have no choice but to trust God. When things get beyond our control and comfort, we more easily trust God and therefore, more readily see His hand in our lives b/c of our increased faith and focus on Him.
James said it this way: “count it all joy” He didn’t say that joy was a possibility, he says we can COUNT on it! That means it’s definite. I thought about Jesus and His ability to look at the cross and “count it all joy”. Hebrews 12:2 says, “for the JOY set before Him, endured the cross”. Jesus knew something we would do well to learn. Put simply, I see it as this: in the midst of suffering, there is joy. He knew there was resurrection on the other side of the cross. He knew, He would reap a pure and spotless Bride due to His sacrifice on the cross. We, too, can be assured that if we die with Christ through our suffering, we will rise with Him! It is a definite proposition.
I love to think about how God is sovereign even over Satan. Satan really has no authority or power over the life of a child of God. Everything he does, fulfills God’s plan for us. I love to think about that. He truly is powerless over us. It makes me realize how victorious I am in Christ. Satan is under my feet!
When Satan nailed Jesus to that cross, he didn’t have a clue that he was playing right into God’s plan. When Satan attacks you, it’s the same. Remember this, God uses ALL things FOR OUR GOOD! There is joy in that realization. I belong to God, and He belongs to me. Satan – can’t touch this!
I used to view suffering as poor, poor, pitiful me, but now I realize what an honor it is to be in the hands of God; to be counted worthy to suffer for His name. Acts 5:41 says the apostles REJOICED that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Name. There is beauty in suffering with joy and with God. Anyone can live a cushy life, but those that suffer b/c of the joy on the other side, are precious to God! And this is the joy: a faith that is more sure of the goodness of God and a renewed dependancy on the One Who loves us too much to leave us as we are!
One thing I am assured of is that when we suffer, God is up to something. He does not allow us to suffer needlessly. There is purpose in it. We are not God’s little victims. When we willingly submit to the Potter’s hand in our lives, we will reap the benefit. It’s a given!
Submitted by
Amy Hayes, Founder/Director
The Parent Coach
myparentteach.com
214-385-0898
Amy, a mother of 8 children, has a vision to change the world by affecting the lives of our children through parent mentoring & training. For more information, visit her website: www.myparentteach.com