My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:2-6)
When you think of a situation that causes you to be joyful, what comes to mind? Maybe a situation worked out exactly the way you expected it. Did something good happen before you had planned on it? How do you feel when you think about waiting for something you want?
James tells us that we are supposed to count it all joy while we wait for the answer from God. Joy is your patience for staying power. When you rejoice while you wait, you will begin to see things happen!
The phrase count it all is an accounting term in Greek. It means to add everything together and then tip the scales toward joyfulness. At times you will look at your life, add everything together, and it will look like you don’t have much at all! But if you just rejoice despite what you see, your answer will come before you know it. Sometimes we try to get our answers too fast; we don’t understand that when we remain in joy while waiting, God is perfecting us! The word perfect means mature. The more mature you become, the less pride you have, and the less you hold onto care. James said that when we become mature in God, we would want nothing. In other words, you will have all the wisdom you ever need and all the resources you need to do anything.
Practical Application – Have you been waiting a while for a promise from God? Then it’s time to count the things you are joyful about. Rejoice in what He has already done for you!