Count It All Joy
“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.” (Jas 1:2–4)
Trials in life are hardly ever
pleasant if not unbearable at times. When we are at a low point of life, how do
we count it all joy? When we are hit with trials in life, it is very easy for
us to be completely preoccupied by the difficult situation around us. Financial
burdens, emotional distress and physical discomfort can easily consume us. Has
elder James given us a tall order?
This challenge involves a paradigm
shift on our part. It requires us to change our perspective in dealing with
tough times. Instead of fixating on the problem itself, we should ask
ourselves, “What does God want me to learn from this experience? What is God’s
will for me?” Think of the trial as a learning experience. Indeed, trials in
life are all but a process. All shall pass, and yet, are we able to glorify
God’s name throughout?
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says
the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
(Jer 29:11)
God is faithful, but we also need
to trust in His guidance; if we do so, we will not only overcome the trials, we
will also become better Christians and mature in faith. Once we completely
entrust our burdens to God, we no longer worry about the outcomes. God does not
promise happy endings; but we trust that God will give us strength and wisdom
in our trials. With this faith, we give thanks and rejoice, knowing we are
lacking nothing. Most of all, we find peace throughout the trial time (Jn
16:33).
As we go through trials, we will
hold on to Jesus Christ as our hope and anchor. When we are reminded again that
Jesus is on the same boat with us, and that He will eventually calm the storm
for us (Mt 8:26), we are reassured and certainly we can count it all joy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
Look back in time—when was the last time that you
encountered a trial? With which kind of attitude did you face the trial? What
were the life lessons you learned from God? Did you grow spiritually because of
the trial?
How can you prepare yourselves spiritually for the next
trial?
