Count It ALL JOY!

Count It ALL Joy!
James 1:2-4

One of the most challenging scriptures for me to face and accept is James 1:2-4. For the longest I wanted this scripture to be an error simply because I didn’t want to go through the process of becoming complete in God by going through stuff. I must admit, that I still feel that way today, but I understand the process a lot better than I did when I was younger. These 3 verses are continuing to change my life as my trials continue to work my faith!

James 1:2 “Don’t Be Happy … Count it ALL JOY!”

After his greeting James begins by saying “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Even though this letter was written to believers, I can imagine the looks of “yeah right” or “Is this guy crazy??” I’ve learned that no matter how crazy it may sound, we should follow these instructions. Joy is something that comes from God! It is an emotion that is felt “underneath the skin (as my Pastor would say) …. That means no matter what comes in and out of our lives. James encourages us to count it all joy! *sigh* Alright James …

James 1:3 “Patience is our friend”

Thank God James explains himself! We aren’t supposed to have joy just to have joy while going through things. James explains that we have joy because as we go through our trials as believers we understand that our patience is worked as our faith is exercised.

Let me explain, as believers there are things that we should just know (be assured of) because of our relationship with God. For example:

1. We KNOW according to Romans 10:9 that if we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we SHALL be saved.

2. We KNOW according to Proverbs 3:5-6 that if we trust God and not lean to our own understanding and acknowledge God in all our ways he WILL direct our path.

3. We KNOW according to John 16:33 that we are not exempt from trials and tribulations but Jesus has encouraged us by letting us know that he HAS (ALREADY) overcome the world.

4. We KNOW according to Hebrews 13:5 that God has PROMISED never to leave or forsake us.

The list goes on and on, you get my point now I hope. The verse continues on by saying, “the trying of your faith worketh patience.” Faith is the foundation to everything we believe. Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition of faith. Basically, faith is the belief that something that has not yet been manifested in the natural is going to arrive. What you are believing God for may not come when you want it to and this is where your patience is worked. “Patient” according to the dictionary means:

- bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
- steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity
- able or willing to bear

Patience is simply allowing the process to take its course no matter how long or difficult it may be, KNOWING that what you are believing God for is going to manifest at the appointed time. This is MUCH easier said than done! This is only the beginning of the process though.

James 1:4 “Patience Perfects Us”

Verse 4 helps us understand that faith doesn’t just work patience but patience works us. Patience brings out a lot in us. While we are waiting, we can become frustrated and we may even get to the point where we want to give up. If we allow patience to have her perfect work in us it will produce the characteristics of God in us. The more characteristics of God we have the more we will realize and recognize that he has everything that we need.

James began his letter with a powerful word for the believer. Joy causes us to press through our pains, trials, tribulations and suffering because we KNOW, according to Romans 8:28 that all things work together for our good. The things that we go through, whether it is something God allows to happen or if it is our own disobedience that got us there, are meant to perfect us and make us complete in Christ so that we might reflect Him.

“Count it ALL JOY!”

© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton October 6, 2007