Count it Joy Pt 2
When we face problems and adversities in life, a well-known truism states that about 80% of the situation is determined by how you respond, and only 20% is the actual problem itself. This principle is at the heart of the Apostle James’ admonition to "count it all joy" when we face trials. In the original Greek, the word for "all" implies everything—no exceptions—and the word for joy, chara, refers to an inner feeling of gladness and delight. However, this joy is not a fleeting emotion; it is a decisive choice based on spiritual truth rather than temporary feelings.
It is easy to confuse biblical joy with our modern cultural definition of happiness. We often use the word "happy" to describe favorable circumstances—a "happy hour," a good paycheck, or a pleasant morning. This type of carnal happiness fluctuates based on what happens to us. True joy, however, is not anchored in whether the day is going well or if our bank account looks healthy. It is a sentiment of goodness based on the reality that God is in control and working out a plan we may not yet see. As the commentator Warren Wiersbe noted, joy is peace and sufficiency that is unaffected by outward storms.
This perspective gives us a powerful choice in the midst of suffering: we can either get bitter, or we can get better. James isn't suggesting that the trial itself is joyful—we don't have to be happy about a gallstone or spiritual warfare—but we can choose a higher view of the experience. Just as 1 Thessalonians 5 instructs us to give thanks in everything, not necessarily for everything, we can find joy in the knowledge that the trial is refining us. If we choose joy, we are actively choosing to let the difficulty improve our character rather than destroy it.
Finally, we must realize that trials are an inevitability, not a possibility. The Scripture says when you fall into various trials, not if. These trials are described as "various," a Greek term meaning "multicolored," implying they come in every shade and flavor—from marriage and career struggles to spiritual battles. Since trouble is always around the corner, waiting for the perfect conditions to be happy is a losing strategy. Instead, we must learn to apply the principle of counting it joy today, knowing that our response is the key to navigating the "multicolored" challenges of life.