It’s true that only God can supply genuine joy. However, there is a key technique in James 1:2 to help us. Once again, this verse says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Notice the word “count.” Some other English versions of the Bible translate it, “consider.” It’s a word that means to systematically scrutinize or to examine as in taking an exam.The idea here is that the believer should thoroughly list the potential advantages of a situation they find themselves in, to gain a better understanding of what God may want to accomplish.

A simple illustration of this truth would be a child counting the change in their piggy bank and then realizing that they have more money than they thought. The old chorus Count Your Blessings by Johnson Oatman, Jr. makes the same point, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” When we truly count or consider what God is doing, we will conclude that our response should indeed be one of joy.

Erick Bouwmeester