James 1:2-4 says,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not
lacking anything.”
Many Christians think that once they’ve made that decision
for Christ, everything will fall into place and life will be full of ‘roses’.
Therefore when trials and tough times come upon them or continue, they begin to
question, “why?” They wonder how they could possibly endure horrible
circumstances and consider it joy. Some Christians brood over their trials so
much so that they are lured back into the world or their relationship with God
is affected. How can we as Christians find joy in the midst of the numerous
trials in our lives?
Word of God
2Tm:3:12 says “Yea, and
all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” .Peter
also tackles this subject of joy through trials in 1Peter 1:6-9: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for
a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These
have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory
and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love
him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled
with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your
faith, the salvation of your souls”.
James and Peter, in their passages are encouraging us on how
to view trials. We should ‘Consider it pure joy…’ ‘In this you greatly
rejoice…’ Why? Because the trials we go through make us stronger. James passage
clearly states that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. And
Peter’s passage states that our faith, which is priceless, will be proved
genuine and result in praise to God.
But how can
we find joy in the midst of all the hardships and painful circumstances?
Finding Joy
First, we need to understand that joy is
not the same as happiness. Happiness comes and goes sometimes as waves hitting
the shore. Happiness isn’t something you can experience when you’ve lost a
loved one, or are facing bankruptcy. Joy, on the other hand can stay with you throughout
sad or trial moments, making you smile at the storms. The reason is that Real joy is from God. To the believer, real
joy is like a bottomless well of water—always in abundant supply. Even in the
darkest days, when sadness, grief, and loss may threaten to overwhelm you,
God’s joy is there.
Secondly, we need to understand that God’s joy
cannot be taken away. As believers, we are promised the constant presence of
the Holy Spirit. We are promised His joy just as our salvation is assured
through Jesus one-time sacrifice for all. Jesus words in John 15:11 says, “These things have I spoken unto you, that
my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Acts 13:52 says, “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.” In
Acts 16:34, “And when he (the jailer) had
brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing
in God with all his house.”
God’s joy
cannot be compared with the temporal happiness the world gives through
partying, drugs, alcohol and the pleasurable times.
Thirdly, we need to stop self-pitying,
whining and complaining and grab onto God’s joy. Just like salvation is a free
and perfect gift from Him, we must reach out and accept that gift of joy. Grab
onto it- like a lifeline. Choose joy over bitterness, anger, and sorrow. Make a
decision to choose joy every day, no matter what.
Examples
Look at these great examples in Scripture: “How that in a great trial of affliction the
abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their
liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they
were willing of themselves;” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the
word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:” (1 Thessalonians
1:6). “Rejoice evermore” (1
Thessalonians 5:16). “For ye had
compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods,
knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring
substance.” (Hebrews 10:34). And the best illustration of all, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:2).
All through
Scripture we see the persecution of the church, the trials, and hardships that
believers have faced. The challenge then is to truly learn how to consider each
trial joy.
Joy in the Lord
This topic is a lesson we should be relearning and rehearsing
each and every day. May be your dear one is being declared a hopeless situation
after going through several medical operations, you have not been able to find
a job or job satisfaction for a long time, your financial situation and plans
have not been palatable though you tell God every day about them. Take heart
and know what James and Peter want you to discover. God’s joy really is there.
You can consider each trial joy, you can greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible
and full of glory even when you feel like you are neglected and all hope is
lost. You can endure whatever circumstances are making you worry right now. If
you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ—you have all you need.
Grab onto
God’s joy. Amen!
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