COUNT IT JOY
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2–4
🔎Reflection: In the original Greek, James issues an imperative command: ἡγήσασθε. It’s often translated as “esteem,” “consider,” or “count”... “Count it all joy,” not if, but “when you encounter trials of various kinds…” Why? Because God is doing more than COMFORTING us in suffering; He’s CONFORMING us through it. The comprehensive biblical testimony is that testing, refining, and fiery trials are POLARIZING. Trials either produce steadfastness or shrinking… devotion or dereliction… obedience or obstinence. And steadfastness has a clear objective: spiritual maturity, full development in Christ (Rom 5:3–5, Eph 4:13). As James said, “Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
This isn't some twisted masochistic idea of seeking pain for pain’s sake, but joy and contentment in God’s process and providence for His glorious and divine purpose. Through trials, the LORD is stripping away the superficial and shallow to produce in us a true and tested faith with deep-rooted joy. That’s why the psalmist praised God even after saying, “You led us into the net; You laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance.” (Ps 66:10–12).
Our God of eternal Holy Trinity isn’t refining a bunch of autonomously disconnected individuals; He’s creating His singular divine masterpiece (Eph 2:10) “in Christ Jesus” for us to do the “good works He prepared in advance for us to walk in as our new way of life.” Those “good works” aren’t culture's transient or superficial random acts of kindness that the world can imitate and duplicate; instead, they are the “greater works than these” of permanence: repentance, submission, surrender, craving correction, serving one another, evangelism, considering others more important than ourselves, etc.… and all of it to refine us into the dross-free, image-reflecting, radiant Bride of Christ!
🤺Action: Identify one current trial. Rather than resisting it, lean into grace and rejoice—not superficially, but in faith. Thank God aloud for “grafting you in,” i.e., forming you into an integral and functional member of Christ’s Body through the trials. Share this perspective with a fellow saint and citizen of heaven for mutual edification, encouragement, and accountability.
🙏Prayer: Almighty God—our Creator, Redeemer, and Refiner—I rejoice in You as I face the fiery trials of life. LORD Jesus, You endured the cross for the JOY set before You. We are called to walk that same path. You said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let them deny self, pick up their cross daily, and follow Me.” Holy Spirit, I pray that you would continue producing steadfastness in me as I submit, surrender, and cooperate in every trial to Your sanctifying work. Let my joy be rooted in the blessed assurance of transformation and unity with Christ so that His joy may be complete in me as a purified member of His Body & Bride! Amen.
Click the following link for a short video version:
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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