How to Count it All Joy (even in the difficult moments)

Have you ever wanted to smack someone for something they said?

Me too.

In the space of forty-eight hours news came to me that a friend’s husband had been arrested, another friend and her husband had separated, and a third friend’s husband had taken his own life right in front of her.

It was almost more than my heart could bear.

Yet, this all happened as I was writing this day of the study.

‘Count it all joy.’

Seriously, James?

All of it? Joy?

Why not count it all pain?

Perhaps count it all tragedy?

Or even count it all that’s just the way life is?

But, count it all joy? Are you sure? (from James: Recipe for a Living Faith)

I wish it were not so, but I know of no person who is breathing earth’s pollen-y air who has opted out of trials and heartache.

Even Jesus experienced beatings, rejection, torture, and ridicule.

So, why would James, the brother of Jesus, write something so ridiculous?

But, count it all joy? Are you sure? Click To Tweet

An Example

Several years ago, I went through a season where I was horribly estranged from a close family member.

The pain in my heart was almost unbearable.

I cried for weeks and begged Jesus to take me home to heaven.

There was no way I could ever count the circumstances as joy.

Never!

I could not even fathom how God could bring any good out of the entire hot mess.

And to be honest with you, almost six years out, I still see no good that came out of it.

Yet, I believe that all Scripture is God-breathed and is there for our good and our growth.

That brings me to the point of putting a question or two on the table.

How, in the midst of trials and pain, do we count it all JOY?

How did Jesus count it all joy as He hung on the cross?

I believe there are three things we need to do in order to see our pain and trials through a lens of joy.

How, in the midst of trials and pain, do we count it all JOY? Click To Tweet

First, let’s make up our mind NOW where we are going to place our trust.

Is there any person living on the earth right now who is 100%, 24/7/365 trustworthy with your heart?

Anyone who ALWAYS keeps their promises?

Anyone who never makes a mistake that brings pain to your heart?

Ummm, NO!

Sure there are people who love you and care for you, but they are gonna make some mistakes.

They are going to eventually hurt you…maybe not harm you, but hurt you.

There is One, however, who always has our best in mind, always is trustworthy, always keeps His promises, and never makes a mistake.

Jesus is that One.

So, do you trust Jesus to do what is best for you, even if it is painful?

So, do you trust Jesus to do what is best for you, even if it is painful? Click To Tweet

Second, we need a good example to follow. How about Jesus?

I doubt that Jesus saw the joy in the present moment as He hung on the cross. Instead, the joy was set BEFORE Him, and for THAT joy of being back in heaven with His Father, He was able to endure the cross.

So, you may not be able to find joy IN the present moment of your trial, but how about joy set before you?

How about joy in the promise of Jesus that He will never leave or forsake you? (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Maybe joy in the promise that when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned? (Isaiah 43:2)

Perhaps joy in knowing that God never wastes a trial and will use it to allow you to help someone else going through a similar trial? (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Where else might you find joy before you in the midst of pain?

Finally, let’s feed our minds with things that have an eternal purpose rather than lies of the enemy.

Instead of ‘God hates me or this would not have happened to me’, read Psalm 139 and see how much God cares for you.

Instead of listening to secular music, listen to Jesus-filled music for encouragement and inspiration.

And, instead of isolating yourself, call a friend who ‘gets’ you and who will come alongside you and encourage you.

Your mind is prime real estate, friend, so what are you putting into your mind?

Your mind is prime real estate, friend, so what are you putting into your mind? Click To Tweet

Conclusion:

Joy in the middle of trials is one of many topics I invite you to consider in my new Bible study which will release this summer.

James: Recipe for a Living Faith leads the reader to consider topics that are essential to a dynamic and powerful faith journey: faith and works, staying faithful under persecution, partiality in the body of Christ, patience (oh, my!), the importance of taming the tongue (oh, my, my!!!!), and prayer.

If you want to learn more about the study, please go to the James page on the Warner Press website. Click HERE.

The link for that page is    https://www.warnerpress.org/james/

I will be leading the James study online and in-person beginning in September. Join The Tribe over on my website (LeahAdams.org) to stay up-to-date with when the study will begin.

Joy in the middle of trials is one of many topics I invite you to consider in my new Bible study which will release this summer. (Leah Adams) Click To Tweet

About the Author:

An anointed coach, speaker, and author, Leah’s passion is communicating the beauty and authenticity of Scripture while making it practical and relatable to the listener’s daily life. She does this through her speaking, writing, and coaching. She feels privileged to be able to part of the Compassion International speaker team and is a Compassion sponsor for three girls.

Leah is a Spiritual Development Mentor/Coach, Financial Coach certified by Ramsey Solutions®, the author of four Bible studies, and a devotion book. She holds a Pharmacy Doctorate degree from Mercer College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and is recently retired as a pharmacist. She is called Mom by two adult children and one socially awkward dog. Leah lives in northern Georgia with her husband, Greg, who is also her dentist and personal pilot. Her hobbies include reading, baking, traveling, and savoring her first cup of coffee in the morning.

Connect with Leah:

Website: www.leahadams.org

Email: ladamsministries@gmail.com

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