CBM National Intern – Count It All Joy

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed to be going right? You were going about your day, the sun was shining, and life just could not seem to get any better. But then you get some news that flips your whole world upside down. It just so happens that I recently had one of those days.

It all started one Friday morning on my summer rotation as a CBM National Intern at Camp Red Arrow. I received a call that made me a little apprehensive but I quickly put it in the back of my mind. I figured everything would be alright. Later on in the day, I received another phone call and the news I heard made it seem like time stood still. I was stunned. Could this really be happening? My emotions were swirling chaotically in my mind: anxiety, worry, apprehension. It was so much at one time that I felt overwhelmed. However, as the conversation continued on, I realized I did not need to feel the way I did. So I put on a happy face and went about my day. It was not until later on that night when I was talking with my fiancée that I realized I was still in pain. That’s when I decided to face the situation head on and do what it says in James 1:2-3.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (ESV)

I will be honest, it was really hard to count it all joy. Part of me just wanted to question God and ask Him why He was allowing this to happen. I just wanted to get frustrated with Him because part of me thought I knew better. But I knew that was not the thing to do. I realized that God has a plan and even though I did not see the purpose of that plan at that moment, I just needed to trust Him. As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:9, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (ESV) I did not need to be strong in this time, I just needed to trust in His power and His plan.

It’s easy to trust God when life is great. But should it be harder to trust God when times are bad? It may seem hard at the time but these trials should push us closer to God and have our faith in Him grow. So when times are hard and when times are good, remember to “count it all joy.”