Consider it all joy … when you encounter various trials (James 1:2, NASB1995).
The Bible teaches joy in all situations.
Not only does James tell us to consider it joy when we encounter trials, but Paul also echoes this thought when he says in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!”
If I’m frustrated and someone tells me to be happy, I get irritated. I consider them to be insensitive to my circumstances. But joy is deeper than happiness. It has a quality of patient hope that while I don’t understand the reason for my difficulties, I know God’s still working for my good.
I’ve found that walking with Jesus isn’t a straight-up climb to glory, but an up-and-down path to victory.
Paul explains more about deep joy…
…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13).
The secret of peaceful content is not flippant happiness but an abiding joy that can be present in all the ups and downs of life.
Let’s remember that following Jesus is up and down.
Our downs allow God’s mercy to take root, and our ups give testimony to His grace. Joy grows beyond mere exhilaration while becoming a testimony of spiritual maturity from trials, difficulties, and resultant victory.
After receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are up. Then we stumble to temptation, and down we go (perhaps even doubting our salvation). But staying faithful—up we go. Then down.
Up and down. Up and down. You get the point.
Following Jesus is a hilly path. But we grow and mature, realizing that the downs are just as important as the ups in the knowledge of Jesus.
We consider it all joy when we encounter various trials.
Note: Please click here to follow the link to a short video on the Ups and Downs of
Following Jesus. Once a month, a short video will be attached to an
Interruption illustrating the blog for that day. I hope you enjoy them.