Count it all joy when you face various trials! That's what James 1:2 says. In fact, in Greek, the meaning of 'trials' in this verse here is 'adversity'. So, I can read it this way: "Count it all joy when you face various adversities!" People of God, let me say this: Adversities don't come from God! The origin of 'adversities' is the 'adversary', and he's none other than the devil!
I hear the Lord assuring you that 'He will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5), no matter what you've been facing recently. In fact, He wants you to know that He has always been with you, and if He is with you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)
Let's now go to Daniel chapter 3. Here, you'd see how Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood firm on God and not bow down to the gold image as commanded by King Nebuchadnezzar. Yes, even if they knew the risk of being thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:15-18). The king later became so furious with them he commanded for the furnace to be seven times hotter! And the fire was so hot it even killed the men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego! (Daniel 3:22) Not only that, he ordered for them to be bound with their own clothings before being thrown into the furnace. Now, all these would have caused some to retract and give in. But that's not the case for Daniel's friends! Indeed they have the revelation of Jesus, and they knew what they were doing!
And that's when God showed up! In Daniel 3:24-25, the king was astonished with what he saw, and he said, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" He then said further, "Look! Now I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." And this fourth person was none other than Jesus Himself!
Maybe you are in the midst of a challenge, a trial, an adversity at the moment (even though you know you've been walking in what God has spoken to you). It can be in any area of your life, maybe in your working place, or even in your ministry. But take heart, my friend. As a believer, know that He is still with you right now. In fact, He has always been (and will always be) with you, never leaving you nor forsaking you. And though you may be 'bound' in a 'difficult' situation at the moment, He'll lead you to walk 'loose' again, just as Daniel's three friends were! Will you take Him at His Word? Believing, you'll receive. And will you keep looking to Him in such a time?
And you know what? In the end, the king finally acknowledged the YHWH whom Daniel's three friends served, and they were eventually promoted (Daniel 3:30). People of God, He'll also lead you through every 'adversity' of yours (no matter how/what the devil may have 'thrown' at you recently), and that's why James said, "Count it all joy", because your 'promotion' is also on the way! Praise God!
Finally, let's now go to Mark 4:35-41. Here, Jesus was in a boat (with His disciples) crossing over to 'the other side' when a big storm came, and the boat was about to sink. Notice Jesus was still asleep even when the storm came! You know what? He, the Prince of Peace, was never at all 'affected' by the storm! See? He wasn't even awoken by the storm! Guess what awoke Him then? No, not because the storm got from bad to worse! He was awoken when He heard the 'cry' of His own (disciples). Today, He's the same to you (for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever). He hears your 'cry' too, because He calls you His own!
See? He has never been 'affected' by whatever 'storm' (big or small) the devil may have come up with! That's never a problem to Him at all!
Is there any 'storm' He cannot calm in your life today?
Beloved, like a loving parent to a child, He also 'awakes' when you start looking to Him & calling out to Him! And you know what, the storm calmed down (Mark 4:39) at His words ("Peace, be still!"), and just as the disciples, you'll also reach your 'the other side' (your 'destiny') as well, safe and sound. Amen!
