Dr. Dan Hayden •
“Hey man, get a grip on yourself!” We say that to someone who is losing it.
The joy of the Lord is a wonderful thing, but it doesn’t just happen. It’s there, but you have to go for it. James 1 and verse 2 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…”
Do you see what God is saying? When you are facing any kind of a trial you have to consider it all joy. That’s something you have to do.
This word “consider” is a strong word in the Greek text. It’s a word that means “to lead or to guide.” It means “to command with official authority; to rule over your thoughts; to govern the way you think.”
That’s how it works… you get a grip on yourself and you tell your thoughts what to do, instead of them telling you what to do.
The Apostle Paul was facing a serious trial. He had been arrested by the Romans and put in jail. Now he was giving a defense of his actions before King Agrippa and in Acts 26:2, he said, “In regard to all the things of which I am accused of the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today.” Paul wasn’t feeling sorry for himself or complaining. He considered himself fortunate. He saw his trial as an opportunity to give witness of the Gospel before the King.
So, consider yourself fortunate. Consider it all joy.