Count it all JOY.

We have troubles in this life. In fact, Jesus tells us we WILL have them (John 16:33). But immediately after He says this, he tells us to “take heart.”

Jesus’ brother, the apostle James, encourages us to “count it all joy” when trials and troubles tempt us to lose faith, because the testing of our faith through adversity perfects us in Christ, making us more patient and stronger in character (James 1:2-4). And James had an amazing example in his brother; Jesus endured the incredible suffering on the cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). Surely, if Jesus could find the joy out of the most miserable of situations, we can too. What are you going through today? Look at the end result, and count it as joy.