What to do When in Trouble?
What to do when in trouble? Trouble is part of life. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He didn’t say you might, could, perhaps, or possibly have trouble, but He said you would! Being a Christian does not exempt us from challenges and difficulties in life. So, what to do when in trouble? What can you do or should you do when you are in the middle of trouble? James 1:2 gives us one specific instruction. It says, “…to count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.” What to do when in trouble – do this one thing – “COUNT IT ALL JOY”.
Count it all Joy
It is easy to have joy when everything is going great and you’re having fun, but what about those times that are hard and difficult? This is exactly what James is addressing. He is saying when you meet difficulties of various kinds – COUNT it joy. The word “count” means to consider, choose, think of or judge it. In other words you determine the attitude you will have in the middle of any situation.
Joy is a Choice not a Feeling
I had one of those opportunities a few weeks ago on the way to my office. I was stopped at a stop light when all of a sudden the person behind me decided to go before the light turned green and crashed into the back of my car. At that moment I was not counting it joy. In fact I was not happy. It became a learning opportunity for me to put James 1:2 into practice. I began to “count it joy” – I began to thank the Lord that no one was hurt, the person had insurance, the damage was minor, and later I had an opportunity to call the person and pray for him. God worked everything together for good. It was an OPPORTUNITY for me to make a decision and COUNT it joy. I wasn’t rejoicing because of the situation, but in the middle of the trouble I decided to count it joy. Joy is a choice not a feeling.
It’s God’s Strategy for Victory
The principle James is giving us isn’t automatic or easy. If we don’t know how God works, our response to “trials of various kinds,” is likely to be anything but “joy”. We have to choose joy in response to the “trouble”. This is the strategy God gives us to help us work through the challenges in life to bring us to a place of victory. Joy is a the choice of faith, not joy for the “trials of various kinds,” but joy in the victory we will see through those trials and the deepening of our faith. Victory is assured in Jesus. “He always causes us to triumph.” (2Corinthians 2:14)
Joy is Your Strength
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Joy is the weapon God gives us to defeat the troubles of life. James 1:3 tells us, God tests our faith. Not so our faith will fail, but to produce in us a joyful by-product called steadfastness, “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” When you face the problems and challenges in life don’t get discouraged. Instead look to the Lord for help and make the decision to rejoice. I want to encourage you to pray and ask God for more grace to be able to “count it all joy” in all that life brings your way. It is a how you can have victory in life regardless of the circumstances you are facing. It is a key to “breakthrough”!
What to do when in trouble?
Do this one thing – COUNT IT ALL JOY!