Counting it All Joy

“Life is 

10% what happens to you 

and 90% how you react to it.” 

–Charles R. Swindoll

When asked to describe me, my friends will use words like:

happy

welcoming

inspirational

godly

sweet

I’ve been told I’m known for my friendliness and my always open shoulder. 

I’m active in 4-H, TeenPact, work, and life in general. 

All of this describes my 90%: 

how I’ve reacted to life. 

But what most people don’t know about me is my 10%: 

what happened to me. 

Because my 10% is that I was bullied for five long years. 

I would be lying if I said I emerged from this ordeal stronger all on my own. 

Yes, I emerged a stronger person, 

but not because of anything I did. 

Who I am today is all because of God. 

Many times, I found myself looking at the footprints in the sand and, upon seeing only one set, 

wondered where God was in all of it. 

What I failed to see 

was that He was carrying me: 

every step of the way. 

Throughout those years, He gave me someone who constantly reminded me that He was in full control, 

even when I felt like life was spinning out of control: 

my mother. 

I remember late nights when she would hold me as I cried. 

She always told me the same thing:

“And we know that all things 

work together for good 

to them that love God 

to them who are the called 

according to His purpose.” 

Romans 8:28. 

People who know me and knew me as I went through this trial in my life  

would probably be shocked 

if I told them 

I am a victim of bullying. 

I used to equate this to putting on a mask. 

 And for a while, 

I believe I was. 

But God’s constant prodding and my mom’s constant prayer made me realize something: 

I must count it all joy. 

Being joyful when all I wanted 

was to curl up in a corner and cry my life away 

was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. 

But I didn’t do it on my own. 

The reason I can be joyful is because 

God is teaching me 

joy 

peace 

forgiveness

 and faith. 

I’ve forgiven those girls. 

It took quite a while, but God never gave up on my heart.

“My brethren, 

count it all joy 

when ye fall into divers temptations; 

Knowing this, 

that the trying of your faith 

worketh patience.” 

James 1:2-3