A new chapter in my life begins today, the anniversary of my birth. It is therefore necessary that I pause to reflect upon this past year.
For me, the intervening year between the last and this one has been a buffet of different experiences. It has consisted of both blessings and burdens, delight and depression, ecstasy and agony, healing and hurt, plenty and poverty, success and failure, triumphs and temptations. But, through it all God has been good to me.
After looking back and cataloging my cares, enumerating my difficulties, adding up my victories, listing my heavy loads, summing up my successes and tallying up my trials, it all equaled great joy. Somehow, God took my troubles and transformed them into testimonies. He took my pains and replaced it with perseverance. He took my fears and strengthened my faith. He took my tears of hurt and turned them into tears of joy. Yes, when I calculated all the good, the bad and the ugly, it still equaled great joy.
James, the brother of Jesus begins his book with a stunning command. He says: Brothers and sisters count it all joy whenever you face trials of many kinds. This is interesting because inherent in the advice in the need for us to be able to count. All Christians has to be able to count because God has incorporated counting as an integral part of His plan for the development of discipline and discipleship. So He tells us that we need to count and not only count but count it all.
It is in the all that we find deliverance. It is not counting only the blessings and victories, but we must also count the bad and the ugly; counting it all totals up to joy.
Now, here is the catch. Counting, in the context of our faith, does not start until troubles come. Actually, it can be likened to boxing. The referee does not start counting until the boxer falls. It is the fall that begins the count. This is important to understand because God's joy cannot be experienced any other way.
We may not want to acknowledge it or even desire it, but every Christian needs a trial or two. Every child of God needs sprinklings of tribulations. Every believer needs to experience the fiery furnace and the lion's den because that is when you begin to understand how God operates. That is when you begin to perceive how evil and good work together for your joy. Paul declared: "All things work together for the good to them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose"? You will note that he also included that significant word, all. It is not just the good or the bad; it is the good AND the bad. When combined the result is joy, joy, joy.
Now, it must be understood that joy is a process and not a destination. We are constantly growing, changing, evolving, developing joy every day. It cannot be made, created, bought or sold because it comes from God. Joy is not parading around pretending to be happy when you know you are not, thinking that is the way Christians should present.
Joy is not instantaneous or immediate. It is not feeling giddy, silly or happy, as it were. Joy is much more profound. Joy is the product of pain and troubles. It is the result of suffering and distress. Joy is intrinsically connected with what you have been through or what you are going through. Joy is the outcome of faith and patience. It is a supernatural portion of God's peace and strength. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy does come in the morning.
I have learned that if you can pray it through, God will see you through. But do not start counting too soon. Remember, the count really starts when you fall into difficult circumstances. Then start counting:
1? The crises come.
2? What do you do?
3? You want to flee.
4? No escape door.
5? Will you survive?
6? You pray, "God please fix."
7? You hear from heaven.
8? God said, "Wait."
9? Here comes True Vine.
10? JOY WITHIN!
11?
Thank God in heaven.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.
You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.
Blessings to all!
I started reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life" about... Read More
Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing... Read More
If you've been on a conscious spiritual journey for any... Read More
Coming face to face with yourself in the space between... Read More
As Christians, we know we need God in every aspect... Read More
1. The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame... Read More
Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. You... Read More
Oceans... There's water in 'em! :-)It may seem a bit... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
The human body is surely a miracle of God's creation.... Read More
We all know that the best laid plans of mice... Read More
Do you want victory in your life? Do you have... Read More
While there are alot of warnings and admonishments regarding what... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or... Read More
Iktomi:Another and somewhat longer term correspondent of mine is a... Read More
Let's say that you have discovered your purpose but you... Read More
Charity isn't the easiest virtue to master. And with St.... Read More
The great gate is open, but travelers seek everywhereâ?? -... Read More
"I would rather regret some of my failures in life... Read More
Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
Some may ask what is the true will of God... Read More
Does this ever happen to you? You ask God for... Read More
It's human nature to point a finger when we think... Read More
1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In... Read More
Have you ever noticed how much our lives resemble a... Read More
Spiritual growth is the process of inner awakening, and becoming... Read More
My wife, our friend and I went to listen to... Read More
I would like to tell you the story of a... Read More
We all sin. To avoid using the "s" word, we... Read More
"If you can't dance with the devil You will never... Read More
The truth revealed as we read about Hazael also reminds... Read More
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being,... Read More
Liam says to Joe; "where is your God now, when... Read More
Whether we admit it or not, we operate by emotion.... Read More
"Self-Actualization" is the process of making our self "actual." Our... Read More
I finally went to the dentist today. I had been... Read More
*Advice on living a humane and compassionate life.According to text... Read More
My fiancee' and I frequent a restaurant in L.A. called... Read More
Love...it's a deep emotion. Sometimes we say it in jest... Read More
We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More
Over the past years, I have undergone a life-altering transition... Read More
Each time our children graduate from one stage to another... Read More
Your guardian angel is your link to the divine. The... Read More
This statement sounds incredible. ASK and it shall be given.... Read More
I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
One night, whilst watching TV, I understood a very useful... Read More
1. How can anyone receive direct communication from Divine Source,... Read More
As we walk these halls of Life viewing the world... Read More
Part Two ContinuedIn addition to numerous philosophical problems relating to... Read More
It was my intention to explain the word "simple," and... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
Although spring is just around the corner, there have been... Read More
What purpose does keeping a journal serve?Do you write down... Read More
My name is Had. You may know me, but you... Read More
Animal spirit totems can be viewed in different ways according... Read More
Peter is a man after my own heart. I feel... Read More
But my God shall supply all your need according to... Read More
MOST PEOPLE NEVER REALLY CHANGESad, but true.Some people never even... Read More
At first glance it does seem that law and grace... Read More
Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
WOW ... what a question. But today, while I was... Read More
Have you heard the saying that; You have a friend... Read More
I said something last week I haven't said in years.... Read More
After 6 years, I left an abusive relationship with an... Read More
Spirituality |