Counting is Better Than Feeling

My purpose in this forum is to encourage others by making application of Scriptural principles to leadership and ‘real life’ subject matter.”--RT

[Excerpt from "The Discipleship Dilemma," by R. Templeton]

James 1:2-4 , "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." [emphasis mine] You know how sometimes you have a "love/hate" relationship with certain Scriptures? Well, that that is the type of relationship I have with this verse--I "hate" what it requires of me, and "love" the result when I am obedient. Here is the main point I want to make about this Scripture: James did not write feel it all joy," He wrote "count" it all joy. What is the difference? First, so many people these days have completely abandoned self-control to the whims and wishes of fickle, self-centered, enemy-stirred emotion. Emotions are one aspect of our soul (along with mind and will), and are not intended to drive the bus, only enrich the ride. When self-control is abandoned to serve emotions, a "If it feels good, do it" mindset, takes over, and my will becomes dedicated to searching for the next emotional rush. In short, the quest to "save your soul" is abandoned in favor of a feast of flesh.

When we learn to count it all joy instead of feel it all joy, we purposely subject our emotions to the guidance of mind and will--that is, we make an affirmative choice based on truth, based on understanding of God's process, and based on obedience to His commands. Now, here is the thing--sometimes our emotions come around to the correction of our mind and will, and sometimes they don't. But, in any case, because we have "count[ed] it all joy," we still get to experience the by-product of patience (verse 4).

Second, I would like to point out that the objective of "count it all" is not the joy itself, but the eventual state of "perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James tells us that the key to soul-perfection is patience, and patience begins with "counting." And, the key to count[ing] it all joy" is reframing our thoughts to to bring our flesh and carnal mind into line with the spiritual mind. And that brings us to a discussion on the essential skill of reframing our thoughts to the mold and pattern of the Mind of Christ.