Count It All Joy?
By Susan Klein
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials”
James 1:2 (NKJV)
Yesterday was not a
good day. Not only did I not have joy, I felt like I was in a pit of deep despair.
Comfort was just not on the horizon, no matter what I tried. I prayed; I read
Scripture; I phoned a friend… Nothing diminished the despair. Then the above
verse popped into my head.
Count it all joy. This
verse has always confounded me. There are just some times when one simply
cannot be joyful. I weary of the guilt that plagues me for not wearing my happy
face and spreading good cheer when I’m feeling surrounded by trials or grief.
Today is a better day.
I am thinking more clearly. I understand that this verse is not telling us to
be “happy.” Happiness is circumstantial and temporal. We can’t be happy and sad
at the same time. It is also not telling us to “choose joy,” as some would
believe. True joy comes from above, not from our circumstances or anything we
do. It is given to us by our Lord. [1] So what exactly is
this perplexing verse trying to communicate?
I did a little
digging into my Greek study Bible. Here is what I discovered. As I broke apart
each word for its contextual definition, then put them all back together it
sounded something like this: “My
brothers, lead on, moving forward, thoroughly rejoicing when you are surrounded
by all kinds of adversity or provocation.”
Okay…That sounds a little
more doable. First of all, when I am despairing, I can choose to keep my focus forward
- - not backward or even on my present circumstances. Secondly, I can sing a
praise song or recite a Psalm. Lastly, I can ask Him to provide me with His
joy…which may even result from my rejoicing in Him. [2]
To reiterate, I
don’t have to “feel” joyful about my circumstances nor do I have to “choose” to
behave joyfully when I’m sad. Rather, I just have to rejoice/take joy in the
Lord and let Him provide me with His joy.
I’m grateful for
this clearer picture of “count it all joy.” Next time I’m in a hard place, I
won’t falsely don a happy face or try to convince myself to “choose” joy.
Instead, I’ll sing a praise song or read back a Psalm to the Giver of joy, and let
Him be the One to provide it.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How might you be struggling with
happiness vs. joy?
2. What steps can you take to “count
it all joy” the next time you are in a trial?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group.
She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team,
helping people work through conflict.
[1]
John 17:13
[2] Psalm 30:11-12
