My pastor has started a sermon series on the book of James – probably my favorite book of the Bible. Maybe. it’s up there on my list regardless.

So since it’s a fave, I’ve been looking forward to what the sermons will cover. As expected, Sunday’s sermon hit me in a new way. I’ve been thinking on it ever since.

As I mentioned last week, the work at office thing is a big change for myself, my team and everyone who’s been home mostly since 2020, when COVID became a pandemic and sent everyone home. It means constantly telling myself it’s not that bad, things will work out, we have time, etc. and also being available to my team – because I can’t lead people to accept a change if I’m also severely down in the dumps.

James is out here throwing facts around 2000 years later, people!

Verse 2 of the opening chapter tells us to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds. Some trials are worse than others.

What if we don’t know how to count it all joy?

Many times I’ve felt so low that trying to find joy was the challenging part.

Following that, in verse 5, James tells us if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.

We can ask God for the help in counting it all joy! Just talk to Him.

It seems like a fundamental thing, but sometimes, we just can’t go around counting it all joy without focusing on the One who we find the joy in.

It’s important to refocus. Who is constant and never changing in this trial? Who is holding all things together even when things appear to be spinning out of control? Where does my joy come from?

Another thing that hit me, and possibly the hardest, was the asking in faith, with no doubting.

My pastor pointed out that the number one threat to our thinking is doubt. When we ask in faith, do we follow that up with oh, I don’t know if God can really do what I just asked for – or something similar.

As someone who doubts myself a lot, I felt that. It hit me hard because while doubting myself, I’m sure I place a good portion of doubt upon God, too.

I want to live a joy filled life, seeking God’s wisdom above all, and not doubting His power in my life and circumstances.

Gratitude and joy go hand in hand. I encourage you this week to think about all you’re grateful for.

When we go to God, asking for His wisdom in our lives with a heart full of gratitude, you may see His moves in your life in a new way! Spending more time with Him and His Word strengthens our relationship with Him and we start to doubt less and less.

I hope you count it all joy, friend. Wherever you are this week!