To consider it all joy when facing the turbulent trials of life is a challenge for me, Lord. Emotional reaction bypasses the act of considering. When change swoops in as an unwanted guest, I am less than hospitable to its presence. Expecting light but finding darkness, looking for peace and ending up with chaos, makes it difficult to trust what is around history’s corner. Yesterday I knew the plan, had the blueprint in hand. Today, what lit my path has now turned to shadow. Hope has been clouded by fear. Rest has snuck away like a thief in the night. The mountain I once climbed, the view I adored, is now obscured because the summit turned out to be a cliff’s ledge. Distress that whips up the stormy contents of my heart has become a tempest that echoes questions in my mind. Is this part of Your plan, Lord? Is this still the way? Despite the eclipse of my faith, the shadow for my thoughts and the fainting of my hope, are You still there to steady my steps as I move through this storm? Father, use this testing to strengthen my feeble knees and enhance my fragile faith. Let the billowy waves wash me upon the rock of newfound hope. And in this sweet haven grant me a measure of solace to look back and consider. Only then will the tide of joy come into my heart once again. Under the blessing set forth in Your Word, James 1:2-4 and the authority of Christ, I bow in adoring prayer.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 
James 1:2-4, NIV