Consider It All Joy

In my senior year in college, I made a radical commitment of my life to Christ. Fresh with new vigor to do God’s will, I began to write Christian music. One day I was sitting in my room after experiencing a very difficult week. Not really understanding why God would allow such difficulties in my life, I began to express my feelings to God. As I opened up my Bible, I came across this verse:
 
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
 
I understood for the first time that God wanted to use these trials for my good. What followed next was the third Christian song I ever wrote, entitled “Bring ‘Em On.” This lighthearted song about why God allows trials in our lives became a regular in our band concerts in the early 1980’s. I share the lyrics hopefully as an encouragement, that God is at work each and every day to make us more like Jesus.

Bring 'Em On By Jeff Joyner
Verse 1
it’s so easy to complain
And say “Lord why no sunshine always rain?
Lord, these troubles have come to me today
Why am I treated this way?
But when the troubles haunt me no longer
I really seem to be so much stronger
These troubles were used to help
Now I can really see
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me.

Chorus
Bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on to me now
Bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on to me now
Bring those dreary troubles, and those fiery trials
For now I know for an absolute fact
They help me grow and keep me intact
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me

Jesus you have what I lack
You pick me up when I’m flat in my back
And I know my life is in your hands
For I know it’s for sure
None will come that I cannot endure
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me

Verse 2
It’s easy to want God’s sympathy
And say, Lord, please feel sorry for me
Why can’t things happen
Just like I think they should
After all Lord, I’ve really been so good
But when the troubles leave, I really feel ashamed
Because I see exactly why they came
They came to make me
More like the Savior, don’t you see?
So bring ‘em on, bring ‘em on right to me