MOVING TRIALS FROM THE SAD COLUMN TO THE GLAD COLUMN
James described the spiritual mindset that the Christian should have when facing trials. What is this mindset? “Great joy.” Not happiness, which is based on external happenings, but “great joy,” which comes from within and is the fruit of the Spirit for the believer that abides in Christ. And not partial joy, but “all” joy. Pure and whole joy that comes from the knowledge that God is sovereign and that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28). This mindset is a decision of the will that is empowered by the Spirit. The Greek verb here is in the imperative middle voice, meaning that one is to command oneself to choose joy. Like an accounting term, one can choose to move their emotional response to trials from the sad column to the glad column. Rather than seeing trials as a reason to be discouraged, count them as a reason to trust God all the more.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are under Your care, therefore we trust that whatever comes, You are with us and never leave us. We are able to consider it all joy no matter what comes our way because we know that You are making us more like Jesus. We are more than conquerors in Christ’s love. We love You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.