Joy Counting

image courtesy of: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1103660

I suffer from a chronic condition. It can be painful and frustrating. Correction, it is painful and frustrating. I know there are people who have illnesses they are dying from or can die from. That’s not my case. I can live a long life with this condition. The quality of that life can depend on a lot of things. One of the most important is attitude. That’s not just true for me and my condition, but also for difficult situations you find yourself in. Attitude is important. And attitude is a choice.

There are days where I have to delegate everything to my husband and my daughters. I could feel guilty about that. I could feel useless and worthless. But if I do that, then I’m not be doing what I’m told in James 1:2. James tells us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” So even though I often want to wallow in self-pity, I’m supposed to count it all joy. What does that look like?

In the Bible we can read about the numerous occasions Paul was arrested or beaten. Yet, he didn’t focus on how unfair it was, how much pain he was in or how bad his situation appeared to be. Instead, he thought about how the situation could be used to be a witness for Christ. In my own life, when I have to delegate, I think about how my girls are learning to be responsible. My husband is learning how to love me in a difficult time. In other words, I try to find that silver lining!

In our illness or other trying situation where we feel or even are helpless, we can rejoice in knowing God’s strength is available to us. We can lean on God. He’s got us. He’s holding us up. He’s seeing us through. He’s not asking us to rely on ourselves. How can you not be glad about that?

When I’m suffering it makes me pray. I pray for strength to endure, the ability not to complain and for God to minister to me. I read my Bible and pray verses from it. Out of pain and frustration, I gain a deeper closeness to God. I know he understands suffering. I know he can give me what I need. Have you ever prayed and asked God to help you deal with something hard or painful? Have you sought comfort in the Bible? If you have, then you’ve “counted it all joy”.

Allow God to show us something good about our situation.
Acknowledge and rely on God’s strength in and for our situation.
Then, focus on drawing nearer to God when you need Him most.

Peter tells us, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV) I don’t know about you but the idea of exceeding joy excites me. If we can’t be excited about our situation, we can be excited about the blessings of what God can do with it!

Do you count it all #joy? @MargaretMcSweeney
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