Graham Kendrick - Consider It Joy Lyrics
Lyrics
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
Moulding 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
Then at last you'll wear a crown
Though trials will come
Won't fear, won't run
We'll lift up our eyes
Hold fast, be strong
Have faith, keep on believing
We'll lift up our eyes
For God is at work in us
Moulding and shaping us
Out of his love for us
Making us more like Jesus
Joy, pure joy
Consider it joy, pure joy
Joy, pure joy
Consider it joy, pure joy
Patiently trusting him
Ready for anything
'Til we're complete in him
In everything 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
Then at last you'll wear a crown
Then at last you'll wear a crown
Then at last you'll wear a crown
Video
Consider It Joy - Graham Kendrick - Lyric Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Graham Kendrick's "Consider It Joy," released on July 27, 2001, as part of the album *What Grace*, dives deep into a powerful and often counter-intuitive biblical perspective on hardship. The song’s genesis lies squarely in the teachings of the Apostle James, specifically his exhortation in James 1:2 to "count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds." Kendrick masterfully translates this ancient wisdom into a contemporary anthem of perseverance, assuring listeners that even in the face of adversity, there is a profound purpose at play. The narrative woven throughout the lyrics centers on the transformative power of God working within believers during difficult times. It speaks not of avoiding pain, but of embracing its potential for spiritual growth, echoing Paul’s sentiment in Romans 5:3-5 where he states that "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." The song’s message is a direct encouragement to maintain faith and steadfastness, recognizing that God is actively shaping us, "moulding and shaping us," to become more like Christ. This process, though sometimes painful, is ultimately an act of divine love, aiming for our spiritual completion and Christlikeness. The repeated refrain to "consider it joy" is not a call for a superficial happiness that ignores suffering, but rather an invitation to a deeper, Christ-centered perspective. It’s a recognition that through these trials, we are being strengthened, just as James promises that "the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:3). The promise of "wear[ing] a crown" at the end speaks to the ultimate reward and vindication for those who remain faithful, a theme found throughout Scripture, particularly in passages like 1 Peter 5:4, which assures believers that "when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." "Consider It Joy" is more than just a song; it's a theological statement set to music, a powerful reminder from Graham Kendrick that our struggles are not meaningless but are integral to God's redemptive plan, refining us and drawing us closer to the perfect image of Jesus.