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Saturday, May 15, 2010

count it all joy

i definitely can't say that i am grown up and mature enough yet to be joyful every single time that a trial arises in my life. but, i have progressed a little. most of the time i seem to be able to recognize the trials that arise in my life for what they are; opportunities! opportunities for me to be able to completely depend on God, trust Him to bring me through them, and grow in my understanding of Who He is and His amazing love for me. when i think back on how i would have handled hard times before, i feel like i somewhat naively just stuck my head in the sand and pretended that the problem was not there. you know if you don't admit there is a problem then you don't have to deal with it. or, i would close my eyes, tap my feet together three times and say, "there's no place like home." well, not really. but it kind of felt like that is what i was doing because i thought that if i just prayed hard enough and believed God enough that He was going to send a miracle my way and deliver me from the problem that was before me.

i have come to realize that problems seldom go away on their own and most of the time God does not show up on a white horse, smooth out my problems and then carry me away into heavenly bliss on this earth. what usually happens is that He carries me through the issues and teaches me many things along the way, which is why i can now see them as opportunities. in recognizing that, i am beginning to be more interested in the lesson that i am going to learn in the midst of my trial rather than just getting frustrated that it exists and being overwhelmed with having to deal with it. i find myself thinking, "what do i need to learn here, Lord? i am open and willing to see where i need to grow because i know that you will not leave me to handle this on my own. please help me!" once i switch gears and get my head out of the sand and off of the problem and fix my gaze on God, i get some breathing room or at least enough perspective to see as far as the next step because He illuminates my pathway.

james 1:2-4 says, "count it pure joy, my brother, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." i really do want to move to the level of joy when i encounter trials and temptations in my life because i can see and recognize the opportunity to be side by side with the Lord as He guides me through them and enables me to  shine His glory in my life allowing me to grow up in all things lacking in nothing. i am thoroughly convinced that  if i truly knew that He was going to see me through whatever circumstances come my way and that i was being given opportunity for His mercy and grace to shine in me, i would celebrate every appearing trial that comes my way. i would definitely .......................

count it all joy! 

21 comments:

Loren said...

Oh my ....Amen to this! Isn't it so amazing when we can take a deep breath and then say....OK LORD ~ what do you want me learn in this? Just last weekend I was crying over a situation and my husband said to me "Honey, we know there is a gift in here somewhere to find." I told him ~ "I am done trying to find the gifts(lessons) and wished I could be done having to learn them." But then when I got it....it truly is just that...a gift! So I do count it joy.

Great post today my sweet friend....great post!

Adeye said...

Oh friend, that scripture has meant soooooooo much to me in recent times!

Journeying this crazy road in life right there with you.

Love and hugs to you today.

Carolyn said...

Have you read 'Plan B' by Pete Wilson. I've just started reading it and really like it, He's talking about the same sort of thing as you just blogged about so it may be a useful one for you. HTH. X.

Laura Brown said...

I have found that our attitude in the midst of our trial is a key. Rather that grumbling and complaining which brings us further down, we can have hope and be filled with expectancy and see God's hand. Having the right attitude has brought me through my trials much quicker and with less hurt. Thank you Lord!

Warren Baldwin said...

This post was written from experience and spiritual maturity. Good job!

Karen said...

Amen, Christy...

"i am beginning to be more interested in the lesson that i am going to learn in the midst of my trial rather than just getting frustrated that it exists and being overwhelmed with having to deal with it."...a hard lesson to learn, but what a revelation when we do...but I need to be reminded of this often...I guess I am a slow learner sometimes....

Liz Mays said...

Yes, he guides us through it, just doesn't magically make it better. Love the post!

Linda said...

Great post and I enjoyed your encouraging and inspiring words. I can learn much from this and look at my trials with the right attitude and trust that the Lord will get me through and He will have something better for me! It is hard but it must be done and I am learning each and every day!
Have a great evening Christy.
Blessings.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I agree with this post, it is hard to count it all a joy...have to learn that?? we will
kim

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in to say hi! You're so inspirational!

Unknown said...

Don't you just love in God speaks in stereo! Great insights! This is so hard to learn but I am working on it. BTW, this line had be cracking up, "I have come to realize that problems seldom go away on their own and most of the time God does not show up on a white horse, smooth out my problems and then carry me away into heavenly bliss on this earth."

Jackie said...

Amen, Christy!!

Oh, hallelujah....He will bring us to the otherside of our trials victoriously as we trust in Him and His promises! And oh what joy to look back and see how He was with us loving, teaching and training us all along the way!

Thanks for sharing!

Have an abundantly blessed week!

Sweet Blessings!
Jackie

Susan said...

Sometimes my path in life is paved with stones, rocks, pieces of glass, twiggs, egg shells, hot lava, cotton balls and silk. I am so thankful and greatful that God carries me over all of them.
Thanks for sharing your story,
Sunny Wishes,
Susan

Beth in NC said...

Oh Christy. What a great reminder. Thank you for sharing this scripture. It has definitely been through the valleys that I have grown the most. I guess the richest soil is in the valley, right?

Bless you tonight!
Beth

He & Me + 3 said...

Just gotta keep my eyes on Him...He will take care of it if I totally submit to Him and His will. Great post.
I all to often let things steal my joy.

Angela said...

Last night I had to have an emergency meeting with the Catholic Womens League of our Parish. I shared a devotional with them from Streams in the Desert which talked about everything that comes in our lives, "The way to peace and victory is to accept every circumstance and every trial as being straight from the hand of our loving Father "to live him in the heavenly realms' Eph. 2:6

I shared that this part was difficult at times (counting it all joy?..can I?. We were dealing with a small problem that has escalated into a big problem. I shared the reason why I was not able to attend last weeks meeting. A week has gone by since that night Christy. I stated that God IS good. And the 'bad' things that had happened, God would bring about good. Genesis 50:20. I also said, "what is God trying to teach us through this ladies. I don't want to get an F on this test. I'll be happy with a C, but I don't want an F". I asked them to pray to our Father to ask Him what was He trying to teach us individually and as a whole, the lessons that we needed to know, through these trials and temptations that we had endured the past week.

Ironic that I come here this early morning and see this.

Oh girl, you are SO right on...Like you, when I look back and see how I used to be...Well I knew I was like a two year old having a temper tantrum at times. I think I've moved up to the teenage years now in my spiritual walk, (lol)...Praise God I am growing. I may not be 'there' yet, but the good work that He has started within my family and I, HE is completing. He does that with all His children, because He is an amazing Father..The Creator of Heaven and Earth!

momstheword said...

Great post! But you're so right. I find that if I thank Him for the difficulty it changes my perception of it and changes my attitude about it.

I begin to see it as a tool to strengthen me in Him, and not to weaken me!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I've had a hard time with this one this week; I was thrown a huge curve ball, and while I wish I could say that I handled it in accordance with holiness, I didn't. I failed the test, and it makes me mad at myself.

I'm still a huge work in progress, but thankful for the grace of God that continues to work its way in me in order to change me.

peace~elaine

Connie said...

great post, Christy! I love your honesty and realness in your writing. You are truly gifted to write and teach. God shines through you :)

Terri said...

Christy, I loved this. I actually printed it off to share with others!! I agree with Connie, you are truly a gifted writer and teacher!! Thanks for sharing!!

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

This is my desire, too. When I encounter trials in my life I want to skip the complaining and start rejoicing, no matter what the circumstance. To me, that is the sign of a mature Christian. Not there yet, but hopefully someday.