My only granddaughter is two years old and she's learning to count. “Count MiMi…say your numbers” says Quinn. Listening to her count to 20 got me to thinking about James chapter 1.

Now, I'm not a Bible Scholar. However, I recently read that the Book of James was written to encourage Jewish Christians to live out their faith through practical actions and perseverance during trials.

With that said, the first chapter of James starts off hitting on all cylinders. James 1:2-4 says this, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produce patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

While I do pretty good counting to 20, counting trials as joy is another story. According to James proof of my faith is evident in how I live—when people are watching and when I’m behind closed doors.

James makes it plan that trials are connected to my growth and purpose. Therefore, I should learn to count my challenging situations as joy. Not because trials feel good, but because they work to strengthen my faith, redefine my perspective, and help me to walk in my greatest potential.

Like Quinn, I’m learning to count.