Don't Worry, Be Happy?

Years ago a song was made popular by the catchy refrain "don't worry, be happy." Though a pleasant tune, its implicit philosophy has very little bearing on reality. Sometimes, there is nothing to be happy about. When James says "consider it all joy" he is not repeating the adage "don't worry, be happy." "Consider it all joy" has very little to do with happiness as we know it. Happiness is tied to temporal circumstances. If events are not favorable, there is no reason to be happy. Joy on the other hand is much different. It is not dependent on the temporal. True joy exists no matter what the circumstance may be.

It is surprising when one notices that "consider" is a command. That changes the tone. This directive is not optional. That seems a tad unreasonable doesn't it? Can you do that? Can you command someone to be joyful? Undoubtedly, most people would be offended if we handed out the same counsel in their pain. "Just rejoice!" Try and grasp the implication of his command: Consider your pain, your losses, your heartache, your grief, your struggle, your painful memories and, as you do, let them bring you joy. That's bold! Furthermore, he does not say some of it -- just the bright spots. He says consider all of it. Every difficult dimension, every new and unpredicted element is to draw joy out of our heart.

Change Your Focus

Despite the apparent insensitivity in James' words, his counsel is ripe with wisdom. "Consider" means to make a deliberate and intelligent appraisal. Obviously, he is aware that our mental faculties are the first things we throw over board when the water of our lives gets rough. We do everything, accept think from a biblical perspective.

As everyone around him panicked in the face of the Apollo 13 tragedy, Eugene Kranz, the mission director, gathered himself, quieted his crew and asked the only appropriate question at that moment, "What do we have on the ship that's good?" Our mindset should be the same. It is imperative that we evaluate (consider) our circumstance in light of what we know to be true about God. We should keep the big picture in view at all times. Stop! Back Up! Get out of the details for a moment; climb to the heights of God's nature, and get a glimpse of what He is doing.

What exactly should bring us joy when we face a trial head on? Answer: The knowledge that God is using the difficult circumstance to change us, "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (v. 4). True joy in the face of a painful experience is had only as we recognize that through the experience God is expediting the sanctification process in our lives. "Knowing" means to "constantly keep a fact in mind." In order to successfully face a trial, in order to get the most out of it, we have to understand that God is at work in our hearts. These unexpected and uninvited visitors in our lives are God's instruments of change, and as such they serve His purposes. That is a reason to rejoice!