Think JOY!

James 1:2, 4 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

 

A new mindset can be set during a times of trouble = “consider it an opportunity”

Opportunity to experience joy.

It is through troubles that we see the reality of joy.

When we are joyful, we forget what troubles look like.

When we experience troubles, we look forward to the after-trouble effects and that is joy.

 

Troubles also produces in us endurance.  When endurance is developed (as I think of this as when I am working out) I can be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

When endurance is built, it’s easy to “run the race;” I will then have the stamina to run again – and endure even greater pains of trouble.

 

I’ll be spiritually buff when my mindset on trouble is set to joy!  As long the trouble that came along my way wasn’t caused by my own wrongdoing, then I ought to always have the mindset of thinking "JOY” when troubles come my way.  The more I think that way, the more I build stronger spiritual muscles – being able to endure on heavier troubles that might come along the way.

 

// Lord thank you that in You, trouble is not such a hard thing to endure.  It is in fact, a wonderful opportunity to experience great joy.  It may be experience after-the-fact, but regardless, it is still joy that then builds on endurance in my spiritual muscles.  I know that Lord, even during this time of troubles, You have me looking forward to something bigger – JOY!  I pray that You will help me to have this mindset at all times.  You are indeed so full of grace that You give me the strength to think JOY in the midst of trouble!  Thank you Lord.  In Jesus’ name, amen.