Today’s scripture:
Psalm 32:11
Life isn’t easy … and this is an understatement for many of us.
And there are days when the last thing we want to be “glad in the Lord and
rejoice.” We may want to shout, but not with joy.
But …
This is what we are commanded to do. 1 Thessalonians makes it quite clear:
Rejoice always (5:16).
Not often. Not sometimes. Not whenever it’s convenient or when things are going
well.
Always.
We talked about this in the first devotional on joy. Joy is an attitude. A
state of mind. No matter what the circumstance, no matter the pain, no matter
the suffering, we can find joy.
We can see splashes of joy in the smile of a child. The unconditional love of a
pet. A sunset. A rainbow.
So, yes, we can “be glad in the Lord and rejoice.” We can “shout for joy.”
Always.
Showing posts with label joy in trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy in trials. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Joy Comes in the Morning (Psalm 30:5)
Today’s
scripture: Psalm 30:5
Over the last few weeks, several of my friends have lost loved ones. A husband. A father. A child.
They’re in mourning … and rightfully so.
Others have experienced some godly discipline with consequences from poor choices or pain from the choices others have made.
They’ve wept … and rightfully so.
We all go through seasons of pain, of suffering, of sadness. We all experience times of godly discipline.
But we’re promised that these seasons are temporary. We don’t live in perpetual, never-ending mourning or pain.
Joy does come in the morning. It may not be today … or tomorrow … or even in the next few weeks. But each of us begins to find those splashes of joy as God offers comfort and peace.
If you’re in a night of mourning, be assured: Joy will one day come … one not-so-distant morning.
Over the last few weeks, several of my friends have lost loved ones. A husband. A father. A child.
They’re in mourning … and rightfully so.
Others have experienced some godly discipline with consequences from poor choices or pain from the choices others have made.
They’ve wept … and rightfully so.
We all go through seasons of pain, of suffering, of sadness. We all experience times of godly discipline.
But we’re promised that these seasons are temporary. We don’t live in perpetual, never-ending mourning or pain.
Joy does come in the morning. It may not be today … or tomorrow … or even in the next few weeks. But each of us begins to find those splashes of joy as God offers comfort and peace.
If you’re in a night of mourning, be assured: Joy will one day come … one not-so-distant morning.
Monday, August 07, 2017
Joy in Trials (James 1:2-4)
Today’s scripture: James 1:2-4
We’ve already talked about how counter-intuitive it seems to find joy in pain or in trials.
James, the brother of Jesus, certainly knew what it meant to experience trials and suffering. Those following the new “Way” were ridiculed, arrested, beaten, and martyred for their faith. Tradition holds that James was arrested and martyred around 69 AD.
Yet, he wrote that his readers (including you and me) could find “all joy” because he knew the end result of trials was Christ-likeness.
Just like gold is made pure as it’s refined through fire, we are also refined and made “perfect and complete” through trials.
I’ve written many times of the various trial I’ve experienced throughout my life, and I know—beyond doubt—that I’m a much stronger, compassionate, and kind person than I would have been had I not gone through storms.
So, I can truly find joy in trials knowing that God continues to refine me into the woman He created me to be.
Are you going through difficult times? Ask God for strength—and joy.
We’ve already talked about how counter-intuitive it seems to find joy in pain or in trials.
James, the brother of Jesus, certainly knew what it meant to experience trials and suffering. Those following the new “Way” were ridiculed, arrested, beaten, and martyred for their faith. Tradition holds that James was arrested and martyred around 69 AD.
Yet, he wrote that his readers (including you and me) could find “all joy” because he knew the end result of trials was Christ-likeness.
Just like gold is made pure as it’s refined through fire, we are also refined and made “perfect and complete” through trials.
I’ve written many times of the various trial I’ve experienced throughout my life, and I know—beyond doubt—that I’m a much stronger, compassionate, and kind person than I would have been had I not gone through storms.
So, I can truly find joy in trials knowing that God continues to refine me into the woman He created me to be.
Are you going through difficult times? Ask God for strength—and joy.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Crown of Life (James 1:12)
Today’s scripture: James 1:12
This is one of those verses that we Christians should commit to memory. It’s a wonderful reminder of why we can find joy in our trials.
One day, each of us will stand before our Lord God, and He will place on our heads the crown of life. He will look at what we did to serve Him and others. He will review how we stood strong through trials and sufferings.
And He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:14-30).
When I think of seeing my God face-to-face and hearing those words, anything that happens to me here on earth is worth it. The abuse I experienced as a child. My struggle with infertility. My daily pain.
Every trial has refined me and made me stronger. God has used—and continues to use—me and my stories to encourage others.
And one day, I’ll wear that crown of life.
If you’re struggling, remember that God loves you and will help you through whatever storm you’re going through. Persevere and know one day you, too, will wear that crown.
This is one of those verses that we Christians should commit to memory. It’s a wonderful reminder of why we can find joy in our trials.
One day, each of us will stand before our Lord God, and He will place on our heads the crown of life. He will look at what we did to serve Him and others. He will review how we stood strong through trials and sufferings.
And He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:14-30).
When I think of seeing my God face-to-face and hearing those words, anything that happens to me here on earth is worth it. The abuse I experienced as a child. My struggle with infertility. My daily pain.
Every trial has refined me and made me stronger. God has used—and continues to use—me and my stories to encourage others.
And one day, I’ll wear that crown of life.
If you’re struggling, remember that God loves you and will help you through whatever storm you’re going through. Persevere and know one day you, too, will wear that crown.
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