Count It All Joy

When we open up the scriptures, it is natural to want to look at our favorite ones. There is nothing like the promises of God and I am forever thankful for them. However, there are other Bible verses that we should look at as well.

Take for instance the book of James. This is a book that is filled with instructions on how to have a successful walk with God. One of the most popular scripture verses in James is the one about counting it all joy when you fall into various trials and tribulations.

A bible sitting on a table.

Read God’s Word

It’s interesting because many years ago when I studied the book of James, it was during the time I was focused on the topic of faith. In fact, I had read many books on the subject at that time.

I was so filled up with faith scriptures that I could believe in the impossible fairly easily. It was almost as if I could see a mountain moving because of the faith I had in God. Then it occurred to me that it was time for me to look at the book of James. It was really the Holy Spirit that was leading me.

I knew within myself that if God was getting me to read this book, then there was a chance that the testing of my faith would be just around the corner. But that is exactly what the book of James talks about, that we should be doers of the word and not just hearers only.

 

Faith Grows As It Is Tried

Just like a muscle, our faith will not grow without being tried. Faith comes when we hear the word, and it is based on God’s word. The proof of our faith comes from how we act in our everyday lives. Testing of your faith is something that happens over and over again. There is no one test to pass, and then it’s over.

God never promised a life that didn’t include challenges. However, thankfully, he promised that when we were in trouble, he would be there to help us and to deliver us. We can rest and know that he will see us through to the finish line.

When we go through tough times, God is right there with us. His Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom and knowledge that we need to overcome anything. His supernatural power rises up from within us so that we can go the a distance.

 

A hiker with arms raised up in faith to God.

Live a Life Of Trust In The Lord

God has called us to live a life based on faith. Everything else around us is going to crumble at some point, but if our life is built on faith in God, our life will stand.

The enemy’s number one goal is to destroy our faith. In fact, every one of his attacks is all about trying to get us to stop believing in God. It all started back in the garden of Eden when he tried and successfully convinced men that God did not really love them. His whole goal is to make it appear that God does not hear when we pray to him.

He wants nothing better than to have you drop your confidence in the Lord. This is most true when you are facing a difficulty or a hardship. It’s at that very moment that he puts thoughts into your mind that faith doesn’t work. He’ll ask you where God is and why hasn’t he saved you already.

 

The Enemy Wants You To Doubt

The enemy’s attacks are all about getting you to slip into the mindset of relying on reason and then doubting God. Choosing not to believe that he will provide what he promised. The truth is, he wants you to take your eyes off Jesus. He wants to somehow get into your life to steal, kill, and destroy.

So, what do we do when the enemy comes to try and get us not to believe God? We stand on the promises of God and keep our faith in him. We use the obstacles he brings us as stepping stones to higher things in God. We need to take the uncomfortable moments of life and make them a staircase to where God wants us to go. With Jesus on our side, we can try them over anything. Even in the midst of difficulties, we can count it all joy knowing that God is with us and will never leave us.