So, I’ll just say it now…rejoicing is all about being joyful in the midst of trying circumstances and troubles. It’s about bringing it back to joy. It’s about not losing our joy. It’s about joy—no matter what. (Otherwise, it wouldn’t be called rejoicing!)
Joy is a beautiful, righteous, God-given thing! Little children sing, “I have the joy…joy…joy…joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay!” And that is the TRUTH! Joy needs to remain down in our heart! However, we live in a broken, confused, evil-influenced world. And much determines to take our joy away.
In the Book of James, we read in chapter 1 verse 2:
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Other versions interpret the word ‘endurance’ as steadfastness, patience, or perseverance. And this—the patience, the persevering, the remaining steadfast, the enduring—this is what we can do to keep our joy when trials come along.
When times are hard and tough…when we seem to be continually struggling….when the light at the end of the tunnel seems SO far away—that is when we are to ‘consider it all joy!’ Please know (be assured!) that you are not the only one to say, “What?!? Not possible!”
If someone suggested it as a ‘positive confession’ or if I read it in a self-help book…then I would be able to totally disregard it. Agreed? BUT, this is not just a mantra to help me train my mind. Nor is it a positive little ditty to sing to myself. N.O….this is TRUTH from the Bible. And so—no matter what—I need to find a way no matter what to rejoice.
And did you notice that little word attached to joy in verse 2 (‘all’)? It means great joy, full joy, pure joy, wholly joyful. Again, if I read this anywhere else, I would wholeheartedly refute the possibility! However, I read it in God’s Holy Word, the Bible. So it must be possible! It must be available with the help of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to hold onto joy.
I do believe that one very important way to ‘consider it all (pure, full, great) joy’ is through the encouragement of singing! Remember the Scripture which has inspired this blog?
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
Listen to this incredible song, would you? This song is part of the bedrock of my soul…it encourages me so greatly! I learned this song from a group of Mennonite teenagers over 18 years ago…. And I have never forgotten it! It was written by a man, Ron Hamilton, who had struggled with cancer…in fact, he lost his eye to this disease…for a number of years. But he and his wife placed their trust in the faithfulness of God Almighty. And they considered these trials and struggles to be ‘all joy!’ I pray that the words of this song will truly teach and admonish your heart…encouraging you to always find your way back to joy—no matter what! If I can pray with you, please contact me; I would consider it my joy and privilege!
Oh, Rejoice in the Lord
God never moves without purpose or plan, When trying His servant and molding a man. Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long; In darkness He giveth a song.
I could not see through the shadows ahead; So I looked at the Cross of my Savior instead. I bowed to the will of the Master that day; Then peace came and tears fled away.
Now I can see testing comes from above; God strengthens His children and purges in love. My Father knows best, and I trust in His care; Through purging more fruit I will bear.
O Rejoice in the LORD, He makes no mistake, He knoweth the end of each path that I take, For when I am tried And purified, I shall come forth as gold.
