Continual stress on any system will cause it to break. This poor cymbal couldn’t sustain the pressure of repeated strikes by my son and eventually broke. The body is the same way. Stress can take us down so quickly. For me, stress shows up in my digestive system first. There is nothing joyful about it. So when scripture tells us to consider it joy when we face trials, my first reaction is, “Really?” My stomach does not think these last few weeks have been a joy.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
My first reaction to this scripture is that I don’t think I need more perseverance. No one enjoys stressful difficult situations. As I was in the midst of one of these stressful situations, God used my devotional to speak to me directly. I open my devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and read, “Thank Me for your problems. As soon as your mind gets snagged on a difficulty, bring it to Me with thanksgiving. Then ask Me to show you My way to handle the situation. The very act of thanking Me releases your mind from its negative focus.”
Consider it joy and be thankful?? How can this be. I prefer to whine and complain. Unfortunately, whining and complaining only makes it worse. My mind, body and spirit feel the weight of the stress. I feel overwhelmed and want it all to go away. This is precisely why God tells us to consider it joy and be thankful. When we cast our cares on Him, He brings us peace a peace that surpasses all understanding.
You know what? It actually works. When I quit the hamster wheel, and began to thank God, I felt better. The peace came. I am sitting with this scripture this week and celebrating the work that God is doing in my life. I am growing and I still have a long way to go. He is challenging me to lean on Him and consider all things joy. It really is easier with Him in charge. I think I could even shout out a big, “Woo hoo.” He promises all things will work for His good. That’s a promise I can count on and so can you.
Will you consider it joy the next time you face a trial of any kind? Will you thank God for all things? It takes practice and sometimes failure like the stress of this past week to bring us closer to Him. It’s worth it.
How have you learned to consider the stresses in your life a joy? Share a comment so we can all grow.