COUNT IT ALL JOY

James 1:2-4
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (WEB)

In today's Bible passage, James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various temptations. The Amplified Bible says James 1:2 this way... Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (AMP) The New Living Translation says verse 2 this way... Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (NLT)

No matter which version of the Bible you prefer, we are encouraged to see the trials that we go through as an opportunity to develop our spiritual faith muscles. While we ought not look for trials to come our way, when they do, we should see these obstacles as an opportunity for us to walk by faith and not by sight.

In Romans 8:28 we read... We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. (WEB) Notice that it doesn't say that all things are good but 'all things work together for good'.

My prayer today is that the Holy Spirit would help us to see every tribulation that comes our way from heaven's perspective. May we have the grace to count it all joy even in the most difficult of circumstances knowing full well that all things will work together for our good in the end!

John 16:33
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (WEB)