Joy

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials”  James 1:2

Joy – If Jesus is our example, then he is our example in all aspects of life.  None is more important than this one: in the midst of struggles.  Charan (from which we derive “charity”) comes from a root that means a wide variety of related themes:  joy, rejoicing, gladness, cheer and exultation.  One thing is very clear:  there is nothing sorrowful or discouraging about this!  In fact, James even puts this thought first in the sentence because he wants to emphasize it.  “All joy, count it my brothers”.

This is the same joy that Jesus had during his ministry.  It is not and never can be a joy that comes from this world.  It is not subject to circumstances.  It cannot be lost or stolen.  It is the pure euphoria of knowing God’s good favor.  And it is never more present than in the moment of obedience in a test of character. 

Temptations are a fact of life.  But consider what this means from God’s.  What this means is that God constantly trusts us to fulfill His expectations of obedience.  Tests of character are God’s endorsement of His confidence in us.  He knows we can make it through.  In fact, the Bible tells us that He only allows those tests that He confidently knows we are capable of dealing with.  God trusts me with the test He puts before me.  He does not sit me on the bench, hoping that some day I will be able to play in the game.  He knows what I can do now, and He sends me into the contest, fully confident that I will be able to follow His instruction.  Every temptation is God’s endorsement of me!

Joy!  Joy that God trusts me.  Joy that He finds me worthy enough to put me in the game.  He doesn’t hold me back, afraid that I won’t come through.  He knows me just like He knew His Son and He wants me to succeed.

Take off that old viewpoint, the one that said your trials are God’s scorecard evaluation.  Throw it away.  Your trials are God proof that He thinks you are completely able.  They are not there to check you out.  They are there because He knows you can.

God be praised for He saw in me what I could not.  He did not doubt me when I still did.  He sent me forth because He loves who I am: a person who is able to serve Him.

Are you joyful now?