Consider 'IT' All Joy!

When I think of Kolleen Lucariello, I think of the word "joy," so I'm delighted she wrote about it in this Joy UPGRADE, a fresh approach to a verse many Christians need to examine more closely.“Count it all Joy. The words came as a whisper and dropped straight into my heart early one morning as I sat conversing with the Lord,” Kolleen says.

“Well, to be fair, the conversation was more like a complaint session; asking for His intervention for many I know in difficult circumstances.”

I (Dawn) experienced such relief in my spirit as I read Kolleen's article. It gave me a new appreciation for what God is doing in my circumstances.

Kolleen continues . . . 

As I pressed on in prayer, the words whispered again … count it all joy.

I paused to ponder and then noticed there seemed to be an emphasis on the word "it"—almost as if the word had been highlighted and appeared to me as: count IT all joy.

Okay, Lord. You have my attention. It? What exactly are you trying to tell me?

You want me to count the “it” as joy?

I began to review my list:

• COVID-19,
• Cancer,
• Hospitalizations,
• Despair,
• Disruption, and
• Political division and unrest.

I prayed for those suffering from chronic illness, depression, a marriage crisis, financial struggles and great loneliness. The list was long and intense.

“Lord, what if there are too many 'its' to count? It feels insensitive, not to mention nearly impossible to ask for a painful circumstance to be counted as joy.” 

Impossible?

Instantly, that thought flipped right around in my thinking with a reminder that there was a time when:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible" (Matthew 19:26, NLT).

If God says it is possible, then HOW?

James wrote, Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:2-3 AMP).

In other words:

• “It” is the [name of your trial].
• “It” has a purpose.
• "It" is a test—a test TO our faith that produces endurance IN our faith.
  

The word "testing" comes from the Greek dokimion and is “that by which something is tried or proved” (Strongs Concordance).

Think genuine. Without anything artificial or false.

“The aim of testing is not to destroy or afflict, but to purge and refine.” (Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible)

Could we possibly view our “it” differently simply by changing our perception from, “Why are you doing this to me God?” to “Thank you, God, for this 'it' in my life. Use this trial to purge me of impurities so that my faith can grow and I may become more like Jesus.”

Allowing the testing of our faith to produce patience is what enables us to stand firm under the pressure of “it.” 

Years ago, my sister’s family called Hawaii home while her husband served in the military. We recognized this was a perfect opportunity for our family to experience Hawaii, so we went to visit.

The day we went to Nuuanu Pali State Park, the winds were so intense. They pushed against us in such a fierce way it took effort to take steps forward. We walked pressing forward in such a way that if the wind had suddenly stopped we’d surely have fallen flat on our faces!

I imagine this reflects how we must brace ourselves when we encounter intense testing of our faith.

If we are to remain standing under the pressure of “it,” then we must view the test as a tool God will use to draw us closer to Him and mature our faith.

When we recognize that out of our “it” a deeper, stronger faith was produced, we consider the “it” a joy.  

Upgrades in life happen when we determine to believe the purpose of every trial is AN OPPORTUNITY to press us closer and closer to the heart of our loving Father. 

Unpack the Opportunity

1. Consider—This word means "regard, take into account, reflect on, or suppose."
2. IT—Did you know“it” can be defined as a lifeless thing? How often do we allow trials to overtake us as if they had a life of their own? 
3. Joy—"Joy" is from the Greek chara meaning "the cause or occasion of joy."
   

Suppose you regarded the lifeless trial in your life as an occasion for joy because God used “it” to do what Peter wrote:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7, NKJV).

In my own strength, I will never believe there is joy to be found in any hardship or test.

However, my reliance on God, my trust in His care, and the overwhelming evidence that He is Sovereign and good, begs me to come to a place of gratitude for every trial that produced a greater faith. 

What is your "IT" today? Can you thank God for it, believing He is working in your life in ways you may not see right now? Can you reframe your "IT" as an opportunity to trust Him?

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Timo Volz at Pixabay.