Consider It Joy

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds." - James 1:2

This verse has been on my heart over the past few months. I'll be honest. Life is TOUGH right now. It's hard to step back and consider it joy. The sleep deprivation, 2-yr old tantrums, teenage attitudes, financial struggles, family drama, and other trials we are currently facing...without fail, when it rains it pours. I know it could be worse, but it can always be worse.  I don't think that means our current trials and tribulations aren't challenging or that we shouldn't feel the struggle.

Webster's dictionary defines joy as "a state of happiness or felicity". Yet, we know it's impossible to feel this definition of joy all the time, especially when we are going through a tough season of life. Lucky for us, in a biblical sense, joy is something completely different. Joy is knowing that God is in control, that we can rely fully on Him when we can't do it ourselves, that we choose to praise Him regardless of our circumstances and that the end result will bring us more joy than we could ever imagine! He uses our trials to shape us and mold us into His image, to be the woman (or man) of God that He calls us to be.

One day, your babies will be grown and gone. They will go on to do great things and start their own lives, their own families. YOU have been given the task of raising them, teaching them right from wrong, instilling a strong work ethic in them and helping them develop personal responsibility. That road is long and hard, but the trials and challenges you face along the way will give you wisdom and knowledge to impart unto them.

So when you're feeding your baby in the early morning hours, in the dim light, trying not to nod off to sleep....consider it joy. You're sacrificing sleep for the nourishment of your child. They can't do it without you, mama.

When your toddler throws himself on the floor and screams at you because by the 7th try you can't figure out what he wants. Or when he pushes you away because "I do it myself"...consider it joy. God may be teaching you to control your temper so they can learn to control their own.

When your teenager comes home from school and rolls their eyes at you because you gave them one extra chore or told them to do their homework...consider it joy. You're teaching them responsibility and a strong work ethic. You may not be their best friend now, but one day they will thank you.

When life doesn't go as planned or seems to take a turn for the worse - death, illness, emotional trauma...consider it joy. Hang on to the promise that He will turn your mourning into dancing.

When you feel like you're drowning, that you can't make it through one more day, when you're wondering why and how  you will survive this...consider it joy. Look to Him and praise Him in your circumstance.

Know that you will come out stronger than you've ever been, ready to take on what life continually throws at you. Ready to speak life and bring joy to those who are walking through the same fire you just survived.

How do you find joy in the midst of a storm?