Counting it all joy

Count it all joy … words that someone shared with me early on when Victoria was diagnosed. Last week I had the opportunity to share with a group a few of my thoughts around 'Counting it all joy'. I felt to share some of what I spoke about in this post.

James 1:2 in the New Living Translation says, 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2

‘Trouble’ and ‘An opportunity for great joy’ are not what I would link together. Definitely a case of God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours. 

As I reflected over the times trouble has come my way, whether in our 20 years of marriage, or with each of our four children, or with our business, I can’t remember feeling great joy. 

I felt many emotions, most at the absolute opposite end of the scale to great joy. Emotions like anger, resentment, rejection, despair and hopelessness. Nothing remotely like joy. 

Here is a recent example. At a doctors appointment for Victoria in the Christmas school holidays, we were told about an impact from her brain surgery that could negatively affect her future. This problem was something that doctors couldn't fix.  

So guess what, I was jumping up and down in that doctor's room overwhelmed with feelings of great joy!!! NOT! I simply wrote down in my notebook – Prayer Point. 

But maybe that is the Point – it is not about feelings. It is about knowing. 

It is about knowing WHO our God is. 

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 

And that brings joy. 

It is about knowing the truth of God’s word in those times of trouble.

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 NIV 

And that brings joy.

It is about knowing how to thank God in everything.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And that brings joy.

It is about knowing how to receive God’s peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-9 

And that brings joy.

It is about knowing how to rest in God’s presence.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 

And that brings joy.

I love the song, Find me at the feet of Jesus, by Christy Nockels. It always takes me to that place of being still.

Lord here I am

You have all of me

Take the world 

You are all I need 

Find me, find me at the feet of Jesus Saviour,

Find me with my head bowed down

Find me on my knees

Find me close to thee

Find me at the feet of Jesus.

What better place to be, than sitting at the feet of Jesus. That is joy! 

But how easy is it to leave that place of joy? 

After the appointment, we went to the supermarket. Victoria was getting the items on the shopping list while I walked around in a bit of a daze. 

I had started going down the path ‘missing the point and indulging my feelings.’ I was letting my mind wander to the future and the 'what if she can't' questions, the future that only God knows, not me, not the doctor. Tears started to well up in my eyes.

I tried to wipe them away before Victoria came back to see what was the next item on the shopping list. I knew in my heart that God was bigger than this latest potential trouble. But my mind needed to catch up. 

I needed God to help me overcome those fearful thoughts with His truth. I needed to remind myself of what I knew about my God, and change my mindset to see this latest scenario as a new opportunity to move to a deeper level of trusting God and to find joy. 

John Maxwell says,

We can find joy in the midst of problems only when we recognise their purpose and results. 

Over these past seven years I can see some purpose in all that has happened to our family, but only in the context of God and what He desires from us, for us to give our whole heart to Him, and to have us fully trust Him in everything. 

I am not at that place yet, but I know now that when trouble comes, the time for me to move between fear and trust is a lot less than it was seven years ago. God is constantly reminding me of what I know about Him, and is helping me to see the opportunity to develop a more intimate relationship with Him. 

A Psalm to finish with;

Many say, Oh, that we might see some good! Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord. You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust. Psalm 4:6-8 AMP

Trouble. An opportunity for great joy, because trouble is an opportunity to move to a deeper level of confidently trusting and knowing Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.