Devotionals

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You'd think we didn't believe it. We'd never say so, but it sure seems that way. We hear these words on Sunday morning, and we smile and nod and think "that's so noble"--but if we let it go any deeper than that, we don't know what to do with this verse. Don't think so? Here--read it again and see if I'm right.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials" (James 1:2).

We can certainly deal with most of thise verse. In fact, we're experts at most of the verse.

"Count it all...when you meet various trials"--Now that we can do! O how we can count our various trials! From stubbed toes to broken hearts, from a rainy day to unfair bosses, from lack of sleep to lack of money--we're no rookies at counting trials!

We keep our lengthy list of them all at the forefront of our mind. We even use that list to compete with each other. "Your bad day at work can't possibly be as bad as my arthritis." "You're broke? Well, I'm broke AND lonely!"

Most of this verse?--no sweat! But all of it? Count it all JOY when we meet various trials? We're just not sure what to do with that. How can we rejoice when we have financial difficulties, health, problems, family struggles, and so on? Why should we look at these things joyfully?

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).

When we respond to our trials with complaining, grumbling, whining, and groaning, we get stuck in the here and now. We get stuck on ourselves. We get stuck on "Big I." "I don't deserve this." "I can't believe this is happening." "I didn't do anything wrong."

But we as Christians ought to know that...

Life isn't about HERE--

"Set your minds on heavenly things, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2).

Life isn't about NOW--

"The things we suffer now are nothing compared to the glory that God will give us later" (Romans 8:18).

Life isn't about ME--

"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Let's strive to stop counting trials, and start counting joy through tials!

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