Counting it All Joy
Back in the late 1980’s, Bobby McFerrin released the biggest hit of his musical career - “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It’s a catchy song, but if you’re looking for any substantive help, you won’t find it. Take, for example, these lyrics from the second verse: “Ain't got no place to lay your head / Somebody came and took your bed / Don’t worry, Be happy.” Not exactly helpful. Yet, sadly, that’s the best our world often offers us - a catchy tune and hollow advice that only provide a temporary distraction from our troubles.
A few months ago, I led a Bible study through the book of James. If you’re familiar with that book, you know it’s full of challenging statements and commands. James, the half-brother of Jesus, apparently didn’t like to beat around the bush. The very first thing James says after greeting his readers is this: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2 ESV).
Talk about challenging! As with any other Bible verse, understanding the context is crucial because it helps us understand what James really means and how he can give us such a command. Reading this verse by itself can leave you feeling like James is asking you to do the impossible. Remaining joyful when meeting various trials? Why would I do that? And how am I supposed to do that?
Consider what James says next: “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (1:3-8).
James tells us both how and why we can remain joyful in trials. In verses 3-4, he gives us the “why” - because God is using our trials to grow us and mature our faith. Through our trials, our faith becomes stronger, and once this process is complete, James says we’ll be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Wow! Do you want to be perfectly mature in your faith? James says that God is getting you there…through your trials. You may wish He’d do it another way, but, in His infinite wisdom, this is what He’s up to in your life.
Then, in verses 5-8, James tells us about how we can receive the wisdom we need to do this - by simply asking God for it. God gives “generously” - He’s not stingy or unhappy about it. He gives “to all” - that means there are no exceptions. You and I are included in “all”! Finally, He gives “without reproach” - that could also be translated as “without finding fault.” God doesn’t hold our mistakes over our heads or ask “So, what did you do with the last bit of wisdom I gave you?”
Do you see how this command from James is built on a foundation of good news? This is far from the “grin and bear it” attitude that many people seem to have. Nor is it the shallow, less-than-helpful slap on the back that just says, “Don’t worry, be happy.”
God offers so much more. If you know Jesus, you can be assured that He’s doing something good in your life, even through your trials. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, He is working “all things” together for our ultimate and eternal good. So, in light of that, we should do just what James calls us to do - count it all joy.
Are you struggling today? Instead of running from God or becoming bitter toward Him, remember that this trial is an opportunity to grow spiritually and see God at work in your life.
For more thoughts on this topic, check out this episode of our podcast - “Does God Really Care About What Happens in My Life & in This World?”