Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. – Rick Warren
No matter what you may encounter, count it all joy. Problems come and they go but count it all joy. With Jesus, we can face the whole world, and know that we have the victory.
James tells us to count it all joy in the midst of your trials. It makes us think about how we should react to the things that take away our joy. For we have all been hurt, disappointed, challenged, and overwhelmed by the many different trials that come our way, but many of these things cause our joy to fade. But they can become the opposite – they can become a source of even greater joy.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
The proper attitude in meeting adversity is to count it all joy, which is not an emotional reaction, know that from Gods perspective, viewing trials are as a means of moral and spiritual growth. We do not rejoice in the trials themselves, but in their possible results. Testing carries the idea of proving genuineness. Patience is a positive steadfastness that bravely endures. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ you will have true joy and hope even through even the greatest trials.
Let us be driven to live for others by joy, to do our best work and to give generously.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2–4
Written by Dr Charisse le Roux
