Count it all JOY

Those who have read this blog previously may have 'picked up' that I believe real JOY and PEACE belong together.

Recently the text from James 1, 'count it all joy' has been factoring in to my like experience quite a bit.

Then last evening I had the wonderful privilege of 'unpacking' this portion of scripture even more with my brother who often can stretch my thinking processes way beyond what I would probably go otherwise - and for that I am grateful.

In no way am I going to be able to 'yet' but down all I have learned, but for now I'll share a few thoughts.

When I use the term 'joy', the definition I am using is that one mind 'loves for another mind to be with it'. I love for my husband to be with me. Because he responds to me because I love for him to be with me, that gives me joy. (He also experiences joy because he loves for me to be with him as well.) Real Joy takes two minds to produce it, or rather I should say, 'experience it'. A person can be 'happy' when 'alone', but genuine joy can only be experienced when two minds synchronize, harmonize, together. Two minds can refer to a relationship of two friends loving to be together. Joy can also be experienced between parents and child(ren). Another illustration, as mentioned above can be between a husband and wife. There may also be other combinations of human minds synchronizing together that can produce true joy. Two minds can also refer to a person synchronizing, or 'agreeing' with, God - which is still two minds.

The text (James 1:2-) says (KJV) 'Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations . . .'

Some other words need to be properly understood to get a more accurate meaning of this scripture.

The word 'Count' denotes 'being the leader', 'to go before', 'take authority over',

The word 'fall' can also mean 'surrounded', or 'encompassed'.

'Temptations' also can refer to 'experiments', 'trials', 'tests', 'proving' and 'challenging problems'.

Before I proceed let me say that a correct understanding of what we are to count all joy is not completely included in just this one verse. The whole passage is vital to a proper understanding.

But for now let me give you a suggestion or two how to apply it (mainly from personal experiences.)

As I have been telling God that I love for Him to be with me (and He loves to be with me too) I experience the mind building power of real JOY.

When I face (encounter) an experience that could be labeled a 'temptation', or 'trial', or 'challenge' as I am experiencing the joy of knowing that I love for God to be with me, then, in Christ, I can be encompassed with the situation and yet know I am not alone, for Jesus is there.

God has been enabling me to experience just a little bit of 'counting it all joy'. I want and need lots more joy, and since God loves for me to be with Him as well as I love for Him to be with me, my joy will 'grow'. In particular as it is combined with genuine PEACE.

God's kind of peace - coming to the point where I can 'rest' in His love, trusting that He will work out in my life what He sees best for me - combined with the above joy, enables me to grow to be like Him in the way He intends for me to grow.

These past few days have given me quite a few opportunities to 'count it all joy' and to practice trusting God to give me His kind of peace.

With the 'extra snow' both Duane and I have been working to get 'dug out'. A friend came by Friday and was able to give us the 'extra' help needed to enable us to get our car out to the main road. Some folks were really in need of groceries so we made a quick trip to town for some essentials.

By Friday evening, however, both Duane and I began really feeling the effects of both shoveling snow and trying to keep the wood brought in for the wood heating stoves. We have gone through a lot more wood this winter than in some past years.

By Sabbath morning neither one of us felt up to doing anything or even going anywhere.
Sunday morning I was getting more 'perky' but Duane's chest muscles (we hope that is all that is involved) were not yet ready for more 'activity'. I was able to fill the wood boxes so he didn't have to 'hurt more'.

This morning he seems to be a little closer to normal for which we are both thankful.

According to the weather forecast we may be in for some more snow. Interesting.

A couple of mornings (early, early) ago I was up and was thinking on James 1:2. The more awake I became a melody for that verse also began to form in my mind. I went over to the keyboard and while there wrote the chorus down on 'music' notation paper.

I am still singing it, and the more I learn of the meaning of this special words of God to me, the meaningful the chorus becomes to me.

I am learning more, but for now I must go.

Until we meet again, may God's JOY and PEACE be with you.

Bringer of Peace