What's in a Name?

I never thought twice about what I would name this blog. In fact I had a name for it before I knew there would be a name. To be honest, I can't take any credit for it, it comes straight from scripture.

James 1: 2-5 says " Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

This was one of the questions the Lord asked me when I first found out my mom might have cancer. "Ashlee, will you consider this all joy?"

I'll be really honest with you. There was this huge part of me that wanted to close my eyes and pretend like none of this was happening. But I knew that I couldn't do that. I couldn't climb in bed and pull the covers over me and sleep everything way even though I really wanted to. Instead I must throw the curtains back, rejoice and consider everything joy.

You see joy, true joy is contentment despite the circumstances. It is not about happiness. It is not driven by circumstance. It is a choice in the midst of circumstance.

You might be asking, Ashlee how can you find joy when your mom has cancer? How is joy even possible? Well, you must know where you find joy! That is key! Well lets go back to the word and see what it says. You see you can't look at the world's definition of joy, you must look at God's. In Psalms 16:11 we see David say "in Your presence is fullness of joy" Wow! Where is joy found? In the presence of God! True joy can only be found in the presence of the Lord! Let's look one other place in the Bible Nehemiah 8:10. Here we see Nehemiah say "the joy of the Lord is your strength." You see that is where I am right now. That is where my strength comes from, it is from the joy I have that is based in and from God. Joy is possible when my mom has cancer because God is my source of joy!

Please don't fool yourself. True joy will not be found anywhere else. Yeah you might be happy for a time, but isn't it driven by whether or not the circumstances around you are good or bad? In the last several weeks I have heard alot of people tell me that they can tell my faith in God drives me and that it is getting me through this hard time. And it does. My faith, hope, peace, joy are found in God alone. But I beg you to see, that it can be yours too. Where, who, or what are you looking to for joy? If you are interested in how you can find true joy, let me know. I would love to share more with you about this!

Okay so let's go back to the main verse and unpack it a little. First, we need to know that the book of James is written to Christians (therefore it applies to all who profess to be Christians). James 1:2 says that Christians are to consider it all joy WHEN you encounter various trials. Notice James didn't say if, he says WHEN. James knew that trials would come, in fact they are promised. What I am living right now is a trial. You see the trial or testing of faith produces endurance and endurance makes you complete lacking in nothing. What in the world does it mean to be complete, lacking in nothing? It means to be mature. WOW! Cool stuff, there is purpose in the trial! It is not just there for no reason! I'll be honest, for me that changes everything! There is purpose in my mom having breast cancer. It is not just a mistake or an accident and the purpose is clear: maturity.

Then James brings out a contrast he says BUT if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. I think this is so interesting. I definitely need wisdom in the midst of this trial. I need wisdom pretty much all the time anyway, but especially in the midst of a trial! So where do I go? I ask God for it!

Okay, lets bring it full circle and see how all this applies! As I walk through this trial I am to consider it all joy. I am to walk in contentment every step of the way. I am to speak that contentment to others. I am to seek wisdom from God the only one who is wise! And where do I go for joy and wisdom? Who is the source of these things? Yep, that's right! The source is God. I am to place my focus on God in this and not focus on the circumstance. I am to rejoice in the Lord, no matter what happens. So what about you? Are you a Christian? If so, how do you respond in the midst of trial? Are you considering it all joy??

Walking worthy and considering it all joy - Ashlee