Consider It Joy

As I think of the days ahead and the various troubles, trials and temptations I will face, and those dear people I know already facing worse hardships, I am reminded of this song.  The trials we've already faced over the previous year I now consider joy, though I didn't before, because now, I am more sanctified than I was before.  The fires of life, as painful and unpleasant as they are, as much as we don't want them - they continue to refine us and God does it out of His love for us.

Consider It Joy

Though trials will come

Don't fear, don't run,

Lift up your eyes.

Hold fast, be strong,

Have faith

Keep on believing

Lift up your eyes.

For God is at work in us,

Molding and shaping us;

Out of His love for us

Making us more like Jesus.

Consider it joy, pure joy,

when troubles come

many trials will make you strong.

Consider it joy, pure joy,

And stand your ground,

And at last, you'll wear a crown.

Joy, pure joy,

Consider it joy, pure joy,

Joy, pure joy,

Consider it joy, pure joy!

Patiently trusting Him

Ready for anything

Until we're complete in Him

In everything more like Jesus.