Count it all joy!

  
Count it All Joy!
 
 
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NKJ.
 
 There was a breakthrough in our life on March 2, 1996. I will use my journal to tell the story: It reads:

During the last week and two days, Jack and I have learned valuable lessons from God. During a time when I prayed for God to help me discern His will, a tornado touched down in our lives, and things got out of control. My husband’s job threatened by a false accusation brought about a new birth experience. During this week, Jack came to believe only God could take over his circumstances. He learned to trust God to be in control of his life. Jack would have one day. Jack’s trial also made me go in search of scriptures to find answers. It made me pray with a renewed commitment and found peace when I gave all my worries over to the Lord. 

Jack and I were both celebrating God’s presence in our life. We were one in spirit and truth worshiping God together. Both hearing words God had prepared for our heart and recognizing adversity strengthened us.

We knew God was teaching us. We also felt that Jack’s school was going through a time when God was revealing false Christians, and the Children of God were to take a stand for truth. The trials of today were a refining fire that would produce gold: our faith and hope refined by stripping away the false. The genuine faith left trusts God and produces endurance. It is not just to bear the bad, but to turn it into something to praise and glorify God. 

And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20 (ASV) 

When we realize we lacked sufficient wisdom to sort out trails, we looked for God for help and wisdom. In all our trials, one thing that remained was our riches in Christ. God promised a reward in heaven for those who are faithful under persecution.
 
Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12 American Standard Version (ASV)                                            
 
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.
James 4:10 American Standard Version (ASV)
 
Jack humbled himself before the Lord and God gave him a new heart. This experience brought a change evident in the way he lived his life. While it is difficult to be thankful as you are going through a trial, it was possible to count it all joy as we see the results of the testing.