Count it all...

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” - John 15:11
By Jamaal Williams
Jesus is all about His people’s joy.  A disciple experiences the joy of the Lord as he or she abides in Christ and allows his word to abide in them. Augustine once said, “When people share their joy in common, the happiness of each is greater because each adds fuel to the other’s flame.” C.S. Lewis once powerfully penned, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” Yet, unfortunately, joy isn’t always the serious business of professing Christians. There are some Christians whose joy tank seems to be perpetually low if not empty. Unfortunately, they don’t heed the words of the Scripture which tells us to, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning.” No matter what you’re going through remember these words today: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” James 1:2-4.