Count it all joy

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1: 2-3

Webster’s dictionary defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve never felt very joyful while in the midst of trials. I like it when things are going well. When things are not going well, I tend to complain and get depressed.

Last year I was going through some very difficult times. I was feeling overwhelmed and lonely. In my distress I turned to the Lord and He helped me to find peace.

Some of my friends from church had been involved for many years in a Bible study. I had often thought of asking them if I could join, but I could never bring myself to do it. As I said in my last blog, I’ve never been very comfortable about sharing my faith with others, so I could never get up the nerve to ask.

Last year, though, I decided to give the Bible study a try. I was feeling very lonely, and I desperately needed fellowship with other women. It ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made, because the Bible study was a life-changing experience for me (more about that in a later blog).

The above Scripture from James was the central point of the first Bible study lesson. At the end of the ten week course, as I thought about all that the Lord had done in my life in a few short months, I had a better understanding of what James meant. I realized that if I hadn’t gone through those trials I probably never would have joined the Bible study, and I would have missed out on all that the Lord had in store for me.

I think that the joy James refers to is “the prospect of possessing what one desires.” Trials lead us to rely more on God and less on ourselves. They also help to purify us and make us stronger. If we respond to troubles in the right way they can help to make us better people, so my prayer is that my trials will always make me “better, not bitter.”